By Maria Stephen
Bhopal, Oct 26, 2022: The Archdiocese of Bhopal has concluded a three-day Bible Mahotsav (grand festival) with the imposition of pallium upon Archbishop Alangaram Arokia Sebastian Durairaj.
The festival, a spiritual retreat for the laity, began with a procession of the Bible at 8:30 am on October 21 at Assumption Church. Father Ishwardas Minj, the vicar general of the archdiocese, inaugurated the retreat by concelebrating Mass.
On the second day, Vincentian Father Shaji, the retreat preacher, emphasized that the Catholics need to be rooted in the love of Christ through communion and participation to carry out the mission of Christ Jesus. It’s an open invitation to become saints of God with Love, Joy and Peace, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit, he added.
Father Shaji from Jamshedpur also emphasized that everyone has to become a new creation. “God has called each one of us to become saints,” he added.
The retreat concluded with a concelebrated Mass presided over by Divine Word Archbishop Durairaj.
Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the guest of the day, bestowed pallium upon the archbishop. Pallium is a woolen vestment conferred by the Pope on archbishops. It consists of a narrow circular band placed round the shoulders with a short lappet hanging from front and back. It was given by Pope Francis to newly appointed archbishops on June 29 in a ceremony at the Vatican.
“The Bible is the basis of our lives. It is the Love Story of God and Man. Sometimes it’s sour, sometimes it’s sweet and this is the voice of God, to listen and to face the challenges of our daily lives,” the archbishop told the gathering.
The main attraction of the retreat was Praise and Worship, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Confession and Solemn Holy Eucharist.
A large number of Catholics, religious nuns and priests from different districts of Bhopal archdiocese participated in the retreat.