by Christopher Sharma

A dozen young people will be baptised on Christmas Eve in Kathmandu's Assumption Cathedral. Many reasons are behind their decision they told AsiaNews, ranging from discriminatory Hindu traditions to the Missionaries of Mother Teresa who “care for the needy”.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Some young Nepalis are preparing to be baptised. San Shrestha Sharma and Sonika B.K. are two of them. Ten other young people are also waiting to join the Christian community on Christmas Eve, all of them looking forward to "spreading actively God’s message throughout the country."

San Shrestha and Sonika are young, 26 and 22 respectively. They have decided to become Christian and are anxiously waiting for their baptism. For the past two years, they and others have attended catechism at Kathmandu's Assumption Cathedral.

San Shrestha attends Mass at the cathedral every Sunday. However, “Both my parents are Hindu and I grew up with the same traditions,” he told AsiaNews.

“When I heard about Catholic believers, who are few in Nepal but live a more dignified way, I became interested in understanding why. Eventually, I realised that the foundation of everything lies in the faith in Christ and God's mercy. "

"No one invited me to enter a church,” the young man explained. “I looked for the cathedral on my own and here I found a friendlier environment than in my own family and relatives. I am the only one in my family who has decided to convert, but I am committed to spreading God’s message everywhere, like a true Christian."

Although he went to high school and college, “no one taught me the true life, and the true way of living. Since I started attending the catechism, I have seen the part of life that truly makes us happy and appreciated. If Jesus had not planned to welcome me, I would have lived a life full of superstitions and religious beliefs."

Sonika attends catechism with her mother. "My life has changed completely since I met God,” she said. “My whole family is Hindu. In this religion, we do not raise our head because we belong to a poor caste. You cannot imagine the discrimination and contempt we have to endure in all circumstances, whether we want to drink a glass of water or go to the temple to honour the gods."

For her, a person’s spiritual aspect is more important than his or her social class. "This kind of discrimination is not present in Christianity. When I enter a church, I feel more respected and feel that we are all equal."

Speaking about her decision to convert, she said, “It came when I met the Sisters Missionaries of Charity* who provide care to the elderly and abandoned mothers. The sisters work selflessly for the needy. From that moment, I searched out the Catholic Church and now I am ready to join. I want to receive the baptism and share my experience and Christ’s words with the whole society.”

* The congregation founded by Mother Teresa

• nepal
• conversions
• baptisms
• christmas