New Delhi: A Syro-Malabar parish in the national capital set an example by giving up traditional pomp and show while celebrating its silver jubilee and patron’s feast.
Fr Mathew Kizhackechira, parish priest of Blessed Sacrament Church at Kingsway Camp, said they wanted to respond positively to the call from the Oriental Church synod for simplicity.
“We accepted and obeyed, in the way we can, the Syro-Malabar Synod’s suggestions to practice simplicity in festal celebrations and administration of Sacraments,” the priest told Matters India on October 24.
The parish under Faridabad diocese celebrated its jubilee and feast October 21-24.
The parish community decided to give up fireworks, “chenda” (traditional drum used in southern India) and other ostentatious rituals associated with parish feasts in the Syro-Malabar Church.
Instead, they fasted for 25 days, fed 25 families and conducted 25 hours of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament to prepare for the feast. A team of 25 parishioners led the feast.
The parishioners also donated a portion of their family income to support the diocese’s mission works.
Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara led 25 priests at the main feast day celebrations. The prelate commended the parish for setting an example in simplicity. He also recognized the parish community’s “strong faith” and active participation in the diocese’s overall growth.
The presence of 25 priests at the main Mass portrayed the collaboration between the Delhi Latin Archdiocese and the Syro-Malabar diocese in giving common witness to the Gospel, the archbishop added.
Parish trustee Savin Chacko says the people were initially unhappy when the priest suggested in August that they simplify the celebrations.
“We had planned to make the occasion memorable with all pomp and show. But the priest convinced us to opt for simplicity and austerity,” Chacko told Matters India October 24.
The trustee said the entire parish community “felt extremely happy and satisfied” at the end. “We have realized that the greatest satisfaction is spiritual and it comes not from extravagant celebrations but from simplicity of this kind,” he added.
Fr. Kizhackechira said they decided to give up all pomp in this Year of Mercy. “We are happy that we got an opportunity to witness Christ who was born in simplicity, lived in simplicity and at last died in simplicity. Celebrations of this kind will certainly give examples to other parishes and to the Church as whole and give meaning to the “Poor Church” concept of Pope Francis,” he told Matters India.
The parish priest handed over a jubilee memento to Archbishop Bharanikulangara and thanked all for making the feast memorable. The parish took out solemn procession in the locality. The parishioners then entertained the gathering with a cultural program.
The Episcopal Synod of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church concluded its 12-day meet on October 22 with a call to the laity to practice simplicity in word and deed. Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry also urged Church institutions to become model centers where the teachings of Christ would be practiced.