Bandra, Pious Disciples of the Divine Master Celebrate Our Lord Jesus and Diwali (Video)

The ceremony took place in Prarthanalaya, a place of worship for the congregation. The chapel was filled with traditional lamps used for the festival of lights. Blessed James Alberione: "Piety is above all Eucharistic. Everything flows from the Master in the Eucharist, as from a spring that gives life ".

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - With songs, dances and a solemn liturgy, the Pious disciples of the Divine Master of Bandra (Mumbai) celebrated the solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Divine Master and the Hindu festival of Diwali. Both occurrences fell yesterday.

Sister Precilla Patrao, in charge of the association of Lay Friends of the Divine Master, prepared the liturgy. "Our Lord Jesus Christ - she said - is a light of revelation to the Gentiles and teacher of eternal truths. Teaching us the way of truth and the mysteries of eternal life, he has formed himself [as] an Apostle of our faith, and by instituting the infallible magisterium of the Church, he has become an eternal Doctor of truth and peace for all".

The ceremony took place in Prarthanalaya, a place of worship for the congregation. Mass was presided by Fr. Clarence Fonseca, pastor of the church of St. Andrew in the same neighborhood. The chapel was filled with traditional lamps used for Diwali, which literally means "row of lights" and symbolizes the victory of truth over lies, of light over darkness.

During the ceremony it was underlined that it is Jesus Divine Master who illuminates everything. Sr. Amita Mascarenhas, provincial councilor, told AsiaNews: "Our founder, Blessed James Alberione, wanted the chapel of Prarthanalaya to be a place where 'light is ceaselessly requested for the world'. Our founder reminds us that our piety is above all Eucharistic. Everything flows from the Master into the Eucharist, as from a spring that gives life. Born of the Tabernacle, it is here that the Pauline Family finds its nourishment, its life, its way of working, its sanctification. Everything - holiness and apostolate - comes from the Mass, communion and Eucharistic adoration ".

Blessed Alberione affirmed: "Adoration is your main duty and apostolate: all graces are gathered here for you. Adoration is the primary means to obtain every grace and make it bear fruit. Adoration is done in Christo et in Ecclesia (in Christ and in the Church) ".

During the service, three postulants dressed in traditional clothes climbed the altar, distributed flower petals and lit incense sticks. Then they performed an "aarti" [votive ritual typical of the Hindu tradition - ed] in honor of the Divine Master. At the end of the celebration, a group of sisters from the congregation performed a folk dance that combines expressions of Christian devotion with Indian liturgical and classical dances. The sisters are part of the Divya Kala Kendra, the academy of art and music managed by the institute.