Mumbai: Hundreds turned up at a New Year party Oswald Cardinal Gracias hosted recently for those living in slums and pavements of a Mumbai suburb.

The local unit of St Vincent de Paul Society, a Catholic charitable association, of at Holy Name Church in Colaba had invited families living in the open around the Fort area to meet the cardinal, the archbishop of Bombay that covers Mumbai, India’s commercial capital.

The guests ranged from the wrinkled elderly to small infants cradled in the arms of mothers. They were treated to an array of snacks, lunch, games and prizes.

Cardinal Gracias, who is among the eight advisors of Pope Francis and head of the Catholic Church in Asia, ate lunch with the children and their families, besides joining in the games on January 3.

He broke into laughter as the kids ran to greet him and heartily exchanged New Year greetings as if he was one of their own, reports The Times of India.

The cardinal later said the love and affection of the children overwhelmed him.

Describing the event, Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesman for the archdiocese, said, “That familiar childhood injunction ‘Wash your hands!’ came to mind as one saw the line of parents and children at the entrance to the hallway. Volunteers with liquid soap and hose pipes helped the guests wash their hands and gave them hand towels afterwards. Of course we would have allowed them in anyway but everybody cheerfully obliged.”

The danced and shouted to Hindi film songs. The parents watched and chatted.

When Cardinal Gracias entered, the children and their parents ran toward him to wish him and to seek blessing. He moved smilingly among them and shook hands with everyone.

Cardinal Gracias then led a prayer in Hindi reminding everyone present that Christ came into our world to bring peace, love and hope, and that, as one family, we are all brothers and sisters. This is the special message of Christmas.

He prayed that the parents of the children would be able to find work and that the children themselves would get opportunities to move forward in life. He hoped that the New Year would hold out ‘saphalta’ (success), ‘sukh’ (happiness) and ‘vishwas’ (faith) for everyone. The response was a sincere ‘Aameen’.

After the meal the cardinal distributed gift hampers containing blankets, sweets and other goodies as his guests prepared to return home.