31 October 2019 – The nine dioceses of Madhya Pradesh, in central India, organized a three-day “biblical convention” in Indore, from 25 to 27 October, bringing together over 6,000 faithful, including bishops, priests, religious and lay people who came from different parts of the state, on a central theme: “Baptized and sent”. In the gathering they shared pastoral and evangelization activities carried out during the month, “to create missionary awareness”, said the coordinator of the event, Father Joby Anand.
Celebrating the closing mass on 27 October, the Archbishop of Bhopal, Mgr. Leo Cornelio, said: “October 2019 was announced by Pope Francis as an extraordinary missionary Month on the theme of “Baptized and sent”, which we wanted to make ours. It is important to proclaim Christ with enthusiasm. Our convention on the Bible, organized every year, aims to increase interest and love for the Holy Scriptures among Christians, so that we can then share the proclamation of the Gospel”.
Father John Paul, president of the Forum of Christian mass media in Indore, explained: “Every year we organize a Bible Festival for the spiritual renewal of the faithful. This year we linked it to the extraordinary missionary Month”.
The three-day convention was characterized by biblical meetings and in-depth studies, special liturgies, celebration of Mass and prayer of the Rosary.
Mgr. Chacko Thottumarickal, Bishop of Indore, thanked all those present “hoping for an impact of the Word of God on their lives”: “We can build together a happier world, making sure that reading the Bible is part of our life and part of the family routine”, he said.
At the conclusion of the Festival, a procession carried the Holy Bible and statues of Mother Mary and Saint Mariam Teresia in procession in the city of Indore, as a sign of public Christian witness. (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 29/10/2019)
