Varanasi: Some 15,000 Khrist Bhakta (devotees of Christ) surprised traditional Catholics with their enthusiasm and piety at the Easter programs held in an ashram in Varanasi, northern India.
“My faith is challenged by the sight of such a huge witnessing crowd here. I see the unique presence of Christ in the ordinary lives of these people. I understand now what a miracle is,” said Father Mathew Satra, a priest from Raipur archdiocese who had come to Matridham Ashram for ashram experience.
He told Matters India that he had not witnessed such expression of faith in the 30 years of his priestly life.
The Khrist Bhaktas believe in Christ but do not receive baptism to avoid social and family problems. Thousands of them thronged the Catholic ashram throughout the Holy Week to participate in various services and express their faith and commitment to the Gospel values.
Andrew Hari, a filmmaker from Chennai, southern India, was amazed by the huge gathering of villagers. “I am yet to discover what motivates these people who are poor to abstain from their daily chores of life for three days in order to hear the word of God.”
Father Iswaranand, newly appointed leader of the Varanasi province of the Indian Missionary Society (IMS), said the Khrist Bhakta’s public witnessing was a manifestation of God’s presence everywhere. “It does not matter if they are baptized or non-baptized,” he added.
The IMS, a congregation that originated from Varanasi, manages the Ashram, a haven for inter-religious harmony and friendship.
Ancy Joseph, who came from Kerala with her son and daughter, said she felt rejuvenated after attending the Easter programs. “It has challenged my traditional Catholic faith. I wish my children, who watched this event with rapt attention, be gripped by faith in Christ,” the 45-year-old woman said.
Meena, a Khrist Bhakata, said, “God does not abandon even if we forget him. He will listen to our cry for help. Our suffering is a test of faith to be more faithful to him.”
For many devotees, Matridham ashram has become a place of solace.
They bring children for tonsure, a ritual ceremony practiced in villages.
Sarita Devi, who brought her grandson for tonsure, said “This place is the abode of grace and grace is not available everywhere.”
The devotees carried home newly blessed water and even sent it to relatives far away. Many told Matters India that they use the water for healing and deliverance. The water was collected from the font in front of the ashram’s main chapel.
Many Catholic priests from various parts of India had come to experience the Holy Week program at the ashram. Fr. Ajomon, a young Carmelite of Bijnore province, said: “It is a bhakti (devotion) movement, craving for the Word of God that is alive and active. Kashi is God’s choice.”
Many “Christ Devotees” came walking from villages as far away as 25 kilometers. They said they would go back home walking barefoot.
Swami Anildev, acharya or the head of the ashram, said he sees the emergence of a powerful community rooted in faith in the Risen Christ. He compared them with like the early Christian community preaching the word of God to their neighbors and praying for one another and for deliverance.
“The devotees have become silent and receptive to the word of God compared to past years. They thirst for the Word. Their material craving is swapped by spiritual longing.”
Most Khristbhaktas now believe the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the more significant in the Christian faith than Christmas, Fr Anil Dev added.
After midnight Easter Vigil Mass, many said they felt inner freedom and deliverance. They came on stage and danced until the dawn.
The ashram has initiated a Lenten practice, asking those who come for the ‘Way of the Cross’ on Fridays during the Lent to bring one hand-full of rice to distribute to the poorest of the poor. This year, the ashram collected 800 kilo grain that it distributed to some 200 families. Some people donated grocery items daily during the Lent.
The ashram has staged ‘Prem Balidan’, a musical drama, on Good Friday for the past 20 years. Thirty artistes, including Hindus and Muslims as well as Christians, acted in the two-hour program this year.