Sunday of the Word at hospice for elderly nuns of the missionaries of the Immaculate Conception

The “Villa Balconi” residence is located in Vegavaram, in Andhra Pradesh.  The 40 guest nuns spent the day in prayer, studying the Word of God, thanking those who animate the liturgy every day.  Deacon: "The proclaimed Word belongs to the here and now."

 Vijayawada (AsiaNews) - The missionaries of the Immaculate Conception, the women's congregation associated with PIME, celebrated the first Sunday of the Word of God yesterday in the house that houses the elderly nuns in Vegavaram, in Andhra Pradesh.  The structure, named "Villa Balconi", houses 40 missionaries who joyfully welcomed Pope Francis' invitation to celebrate the event.  They spent the day in prayer, studying the Word of God, thanking those who animate the liturgy by reading the passages of the Gospel and directing new readers to this fundamental ministry for the Catholic Church.

The sisters met on the evening of Saturday 25 January and listened with enthusiasm to the circular letter from the superior, Sr.  Daisy, who explained the meaning of the day, wanted to strengthen "the relationship between the Risen Lord, the community of faithful and the Holy Scriptures, which is essential for us who are Christians".  Yesterday the official celebrations began at 7 in the morning with an introduction by Sr.  Sophia Ouseph and the songs sung by the choir.  Following, the procession with the censer, the cross, a garland of candles and the book of the Gospels carried by the superior of the missionaries of Charity, Sr.  Gilson, the celebrant, sprinkled the faithful present in the chapel with blessed water.

The homily was animated by a deacon from the Holy Spirit seminary.  He explained “the need for Sunday of the Word of God because it is the word proclaimed every Sunday in our Eucharistic celebration;  it is the word we hear in every circumstance of daily life and the ones we pronounce at any time.  Let it become a moment of salvation for us and a gift for others ”.

The Word proclaimed, he continued, “belongs not only to the past, but to the here and now.  It is given to this liturgical assembly to give shape, challenge and support its continuous following the Lord.  The Scriptures nourish the courage of the community: even more than before we are called to ensure that the Word of God strengthens us as individuals and communities ".

 At the end of the homily, all the readers of the weekly and Sunday liturgies approached the altar and were blessed.  Gilson addressed them saying: “You have been called to proclaim the Word of God in the assemblies of the people of God. In so doing, share the Church's mission in proclaiming the Good News to all people.  May the Word of God be alive and active in your lives, so that we can honor the living God in spirit and truth.  By proclaiming the Word of God to others, accept it yourself in obedience to the Holy Spirit.  Meditate on it constantly, so that every day you can love the Scriptures more and show in everything you say and do the teachings of our Savior Jesus Christ. "

 * Missionary of the Immaculate Conception