By Matters India Reporter
Nagpur: A dance drama on Blessed Rani Maria was the highlight of the feast of St Francis de Sales, the patron saint of the Archdiocese of Nagpur.
More than 2,000 people from the various parishes of the archdiocese attended the celebrations on January 24 along with Archbishop Abraham Viruthakulangara of Nagpur.
The drama “Qurbani” (sacrifice) was prepared by Fathers M L James and Nitin Francis of Nav Chetna, Bhopal, capital of neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh.
About 200 children from five schools performed the dances while brothers from Pilar Niketan and Sisters from Alphonsa Sadan, Nagpur performed the drama.
The dram depicted the life of the Franciscan Clarist nun who was killed 28 years ago by a hired assassin near Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh. The nun worked among poor landless agricultural laborers, which upset local landlords.
During the feast, Archbishop Viruthakulangara exhorted people to reach out to the poor and needy following the example of St Francis De Sales and Blessed Rani Maria.
St Francis De Sales “reached out to the people through his ministry. He was a man with knowledge. He was a pastor with wisdom. God chose him in his own plan, to be pastor in his time,” the prelate said.
He urged the gathering to follow Pope Francis who wants Christians to go to the peripheries and serve the poor.
“On this day let us take a decision to Follow God’s call to reach out to our poor brethren,” he said in his homily es on January 24, at the cathedral, Nagpur.
Before the drama, Sister Princy Rose, head of Franciscan Clarist Congregation’s Bhopal province, said Blessed Rani Maria had lived her vocation, loved Jesus and the poor from her heart that cost her life. “She was not known for her efficiency, or competency in doing great things; she was not even noticed or recognized by many members of the congregation or co-workers.”
According to the provincial “Rani Maria’s life after her death proclaimed loudly God’s greatness and mercy, than during her earthly life.
“Her exaltation as a martyr is very relevant to the time when religious extremists and fanatics break out all kinds of violence against Christians; God raises a martyr, a prophet, who already challenged the existing evil through her sacrificial life and heroic death.
“She became a beacon, bearing the light of Jesus himself that can light up the hearts of many today,” she added.
Sister Selmy Paul, younger sister of Blessed Rani Maria sharing how she faced the tragic moment said, “Her death is still a mystery for me. I was filled with sorrow when I got the news, and I felt I will never be able to forgive the culprit. I told Jesus, when you died your mother and beloved disciple were at the foot of the cross. Why did you leave my sister alone on the street?
He answered, “My mother and myself were beside her.” His words consoled me and gave me strength. I got the strength to forgive the culprit.
But God has done wonders in my life. “God healed me from my illness.
“When I stood by her mortal remains, I heard her voice ‘I am not afraid to die for the poor.’
“I was not sure how to console my family members. Then I heard my brother saying, “She was lucky. She got her reward.” The attitude of my family consoled me.
After a year my mother came to visit her tomb. I asked my mother what would you do if you meet the Samandar Singh. She said, I will kiss his hands. I was surprised. She said, because my daughter’s blood is in his hands.”
Reflecting the sentiments of many who watched the drama, Sr Sahaya Rani of Daughters of St Paul said, “I was touched by the scene when Rani Maria’a sister tied the Rakhi on Samandar Singhs’ hand and embraced him as a mark of forgiveness. Her parents also forgave him and embraced him. It was a reminder of Christ’s forgiveness. We cannot expect this even from family members in these days. It was a moving experience. It was a reminder of Christ’s forgiveness from the cross.”