by Benigna Mezenes*

The day allows men and women religious to relive Pope Francis's first World Youth Day. Coming from different congregations, they sang, prayed and reread some of the homilies Pope Francis delivered in Rio. The meeting was "a great inspiration to lead a religious life of commitment and passion."

Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - Yesterday, the diocese of Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) brought together 160 young priests, nuns, seminarians and novices to the auditorium of Stella Maris College for a day of prayers, readings, songs and recreational activities to relive in India the excitement of World Youth Day (WYD) in Rio de Janeiro. The participants who came belong to 42 female and 16 male congregations.

Dubbed "Rio in Vijayawada," the event began with the recitation of Lauds, followed by the greeting of Mgr Govindu Joji, apostolic administrator of the diocese.

The religious then split up into 20 groups to sing psalms and reread some of the homilies Pope Francis delivered during WYD in July.

For Sister Jayanthi, a missionary of the Immaculate Conception, events like this "build communion [among us] and are a source of great inspiration to lead a religious life of commitment and passion."

Sister Alberta, mother superior at the Stella Maris College, said she felt "blessed by the presence of young religious who have proven that they are happy to be part of the universal Church."

*Missionary of the Immaculate Conception, a female congregation linked to the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME).

• india
• world
• youth
• day
• vijayawada
• andhra
• pradesh