By A Elango
New Delhi: A Jesuit-managed theology college in Delhi has found a new way to explain Pope Francis’ exhortation on family.
A group of 33 students of Vidyajyoti (light of knowledge) turned “Amoris Laetitia” (Joy of Love) into an 11-scene play and staged it on February 24 at their institute.
Pope Francis issued the exhortation on April 8, 2016, drawing on the inputs from the Synods on the Family he had convened in 2014 and 2015.
The exhortation, comprising eight chapters, begins with Scripture references to set the tone on family life. The Pope then examines the situation of families in the modern world, and suggests ways to keep them grounded in reality. The Pope also recalls some essential aspects of the Church’s teachings on marriage and family and stresses the essential elements of parenting.
The Pope also devotes a chapter to the raising of children, with some pastoral guidelines to build sound homes in accordance with God’s plan.
The play, scripted by Jesuit seminarian S Joachim, uses dialogues, dances and songs to highlight current issues that affect the family both in rural and urban situations.
The one-hour play focused was staged by the second year class. They said the exhortation’s pastoral significance prompted them to choose it for their class project for theologizing in the context.
One of the scenes shows how parents neglect children in their craze for amassing wealth. As the children go their way, the father gets into depression requiring hospitalization. A priest comes to counsel the man, who realizes the importance of building home with love.
College principal Jesuit Father Leonard Fernandes commended the students for their innovation, hard work and intense practice for two weeks. Three students from the same class directed the play.
The play urges students to look at the joys and struggles of the family and respond to the issues from Christian and theological perspectives.
Some Scenes challenge students to respond to issues such as divorce, euthanasia, LGBT, live-in relations and issues that confront families in slums and rural areas.
Another scene examines the parish priest’s role in modern society and stresses mercy and pastoral discernment as his basic qualities to deal current issues. The priest in the play repeats Saint Mother Teresa’s dictum, “A family that prays together stays together.”
Jesuit Father Michael T. Raj, the rector of the Institute, too applauded the students for bringing out basic issues in the families and perspectives of the Church. He encourages the troupe to enact the play for married couples.
The play ends with a lamp dance and a call to “ignite the joy of love in all families.”
The second year class has 26 seminarians, six nuns and a layman as students. They were guided by staff members Fathers Alla Stanislaus, Mangai Poulose, P. Christopher and Presentation Sister Shalini Mulackal.
Joachim told Matters India that many family situations, his study of context theology and the Pope’s exhortation prompted him to script the play “for the service of faith that promotes justice.’”
Sister Mulackal said the students put up a superb show and expressed the wish that it were seen by more people. Only the students and staff members and a few invitees were in the audience. “We hope we can stage it for at least one parish in the city,” she told Matters India.