By Matters India Reporter

Vailankanni, October 2, 2019: Future priests and nuns in India need to have the mind and heart of Pope Francis to work for and with the poor, says an association of Franciscans in India.

“Today’s youth who are joining us for Religious formation in various stages throughout the country must understand and effectively disseminate the vision and mission of Pope Francis in the Indian context with special focus on those at the periphery, with other religions and cultures and with the whole creation,” says a press note issued at the end of a five-day national seminar in Vailankanni.

It was organized by the Association of Franciscan Families in India (AFFI) along with the Bengaluru-based National Biblical Catechetical Liturgical Centre (NBCLC), Sept 25- 29.

“We shall guide our candidates who wish to be future priests and nuns to be in solidarity with those in periphery and the discriminated ones under top priority through interactions in slums and rural areas,” the press statement added.

The September 25-29 event was attended by around 105 rectors of seminaries and directors of aspirancy, postulancy, novitiate and juniorate from all over India. They spent the days in deep personal and collective search into their own formation and the formation of the future religious men and women for the Church and society.

“Knowing that we are still to be formed, we shall learn from our formees and other formators to update ourselves with the experience of God and the poor,” the statement read.

“We shall help our formees to read the signs of the times and prepare them to take up a prophetic stand rooted in the charism of the founders of our Religious Congregations,” he added.

The whole program was centered on the theme of “Dialogue – with those in Periphery, with Religions and Cultures and with the creation” – in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the dialogue of Francis of Assisi with the Sultan Al Malik – Al Kamil of Egypt in 1219.

Father Praveen D’Souza, president of the Association of Franciscan Families of India (AFFI), in his opening address, highlighted the need for dialogues not just for our advantages but for an effective contribution towards holistic and permanent peace and harmony.

Father Felix Wilfred, a noted Indian theologian and writer, in his keynote address, gave a historical progress of Dialogue in the Church ever since Francis of Assisi until Francis of Rome, the present Pope.

Father Wilfred explained the vision and mission of Pope Francis through his life and writings and their impact on the formation of the future leaders of the Church.

Father Nithiya Sagayam, national coordinator of AFFI, spelled out the expectations of the entire program in response to the growing neglect of the poorest, Religious fundamentalism and exploitation of the creation.

Jesuit Father Jerry Rosario, a theologian and social activist highlighted on the Vision, Passion and Mission of Pope Francis and St. Francis concerning the poorest and the creation and its impact on our formation personnel and formees.

In the evening of the second day, all the delegates went in Candle procession with Rosary, singing in different languages.

On the next day, Jesuit Father Anand Amaladass, professor of theology, spoke about the multicultural and multireligious scenario of our country and the need to learn the rich religious traditions for spiritual growth leading to total transformation. In the evening the group had Taize (France) style praise and worship.

On the fourth day, Father Kasi Rayappa explained about the importance of “Laudato Si” (Praise be to you, the second encyclical of Pope Francis) and its impact on individual and collective decisions and policies. The delegates spent the latter part of the day in personal solitude and search.

On the last day, Father X.D. Selvaraj, a member of the Catholic Priests’ Conference of India (CPCI), summarized the entire program with Biblical focus of the poorest and the deprived and its centrality of siding with the lowliest.

The delegates went into regional groups for discussions and proposed at least two review meetings at the regional levels probably in Advent and lent seasons and to have the next annual National Formators review meeting around this same time of the year.

The participated agreed to organize eco-programs during the Season of Creation (Sep.1- Oct 4).

“We shall take a prophetic stand against the consumerism, and wasting-culture and promote life in tune with nature,” said Father Sagayam, organizer.

“In response to the call of Laudato si, we shall inculcate the values of 9Rs – Refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, re-gift, recover, recycle, replenish and renew. In our public meetings and programs, we shall avoid shawls and flower bouquets but give saplings to the dignitaries,” he added.