Benigna Menezes*

In October five received their Missionary assignment: two will go to Papua New Guinea; the other three respectively to Guinea Bissau, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Two other religious have perpetual vows. The crucifix, the symbol of the mission; the Bible, to spread the Good News.

Mgr George Palliparambil is the bishop of the Diocese of Miao, Arunachal Pradesh. Yesterday, he celebrated the ordination of five new priests in Eluru from to the Missionaries of Compassion. In addition to India, they operate in Australia, Venezuela and the United States. The prelate spoke with concern about several suicide cases among Indian priests.

The celebration took place on April 4, the day of the Feast of the Annunciation. The bishop recalled the importance of the evangelizing mission of the Sisters. The Tanuku parish was founded in 1962. In 1966 the missionaries arrived and now run a technical training school as well as bringing healthcare to the people in the villages.

Yesterday, the diocese celebrated the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, marking the first apparition of Our Lady to Bernadette. PIME missionaries founded the diocese and brought a statue of the Virgin in 1928. Placed on a hill, the latter protects “the city and brings it closer to Jesus." The shrine drew 1.4 million faithful, including non-Christians.

Msgr. Joseph Raja Rao Thelagathoti is the new bishop of the Indian diocese. The ceremony for his installation was held on February 2. The bishop's seat was vacant for three years. Over 10 thousand faithful crowd the square in front of the sanctuary where the consecration was celebrated. The Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Pennacchio, 12 bishops and more than 1,000 priests from around the world paid homage to the new bishop.

The closing ceremony for the local Catholic Church took place on January 24. Several bishops and religious leaders from 12 dioceses attended the event. All stressed the value of consecrated persons "belonging to God and simultaneously belonging to people." During the year, dozens of meetings and services were held in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Now men and women religious are called to serve God in the Year of Mercy.

Mgr Jaya Rao Polimera opened the Holy Door of Mercy in the Marian shrine. Inaugurated in 2000, the latter attracts thousands of pilgrims each year. Opening the Door "is an unusual thing for Indians, who are used to immersion in river waters." For a Missionary of the Immaculate, "Even Hindus and Muslims are coming here to experience God's mercy." For months, the bishop of Eluru has been unable to get into the cathedral, because of conflicts with rebels and miscreants.

The feast day was observed on Tuesday with a solemn Mass celebrated by Mgr Jayarao Polimera, who praised the parishioners for organising the event. The late Mgr John Mulagada, who built 17 towers of Marian prayer, churches and shrines, was remembered. Missionaries donated funds for the new church. In 1962, the Sisters opened the first leper colony in the Indian state.

Over 100 men and women religious participated in the catechesis organized by the Indian Conference of Religious. The Indian Bishops' Conference call for renewed liturgical devotion. Salesian priest: "honoring God through common prayer." The importance of music and song in the liturgy, so that "the union of hearts can be more deeply experienced with the union of voices"

The apostolic administrator celebrated the rite of ordination. The new priests are called to "live a life without deception" and "carry out their ministry in a world full of chaos and spiritual darkness."

The Carmelite community of women gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of profession of one of their sisters. An important anniversary because it falls in the Year of Consecrated Life, and the 500th anniversary of the birth of St. Teresa of Avila.

Staff and students from the Nirmala High School marked 50 years of consecrated life of one of their own. A local bishop and 40 priests celebrated the thanksgiving Mass. Participants carried 50 candles in procession. The nun's nephew, a priest, marked his 25 years as a clergyman. The missionary embodies Mary's "Yes", serving Church and community.