Andhra Pradesh, a study of Evangelii Gaudium for the Year of Consecrated Life
Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - Reflecting
on the current state of the Church and preparing for the celebration of the
Year of Consecrated Life (2015): it is in this spirit that more than 150 priests,
religious sisters and gathered in India yesterday for a thorough study of Evangelii
Gaudium. The seminar took place in Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
Fr. Valle Joji Babu, a theologian of the diocese, opened the meeting by
defining the Apostolic Exhortation the "manifesto" of Pope Francis, through
which he encourages believers to "undertake with joy a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ, through the their way of praying the Holy
Scriptures and to exercise charity in everyday life. "
"The proclamation of the Gospel - said the priest - is really the heart of
the apostolic exhortation. In the document, the pope repeatedly calls Christians
to see themselves as apostles called to go into their worlds to proclaim the
Good News of the love and Christ's forgiveness. The power of Jesus and his
Church is unbeatable and formidable, and the world of today needs to be guided to
Christ for salvation. "
In her speech, Sr.
Benigna Menezes, MSI explained how Mary is the Mother of Evangelization and a
special instrument used by God to be the agent of the New Evangelization in the
modern world.
"In Gaudium in Evangelii - explained the religious - the Holy Father encourages
the adoption of a 'Marian style ' of evangelization, praising the Blessed
Virgin Mary as a revolutionary of love and tenderness."
The seminar concluded with a debate between Fr. Amalanathan SJ (Jesuit), Fr. Joji
Reddy SDB (Salesians), Sr. Sleeva Thumma FMM (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) and
Sr. Noble FCC (Franciscan Poor Clares), in which the various speakers spoke of
their charisma in light of Evangelii Gaudium.
* Mission of the Immaculate Conception, a congregation of women associated with
the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME)
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