Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guwahati (Agenzia Fides) – It all began with a call from the Archdiocese of Guwahati for 'mission to the people' in tribal villages anxious to hear the good news of Christ. More than 250 young men and women religious, candidates, postulants, novices and newly professed - of eleven different congregations, male and female - responded enthusiastically, forming teams of evangelisers. They set out to visit the villages over the past few weeks to speak about Jesus and proclaim the Gospel values of love, peace, reconciliation and brotherhood.
Many of them, trained teaches, nurses, medical doctors, farming technicians, experts in childcare besides mission work also put their expertise at the service of the people, by whom they were warmly received. "We were deeply touched by the people's hospitality and simple way of life, their happy faces and the embraces of the children", the young evangelisers reported.
The experience was important opportunity for families to hear the good news of Christ and come into contact - some for the first time- with God's love for all men and women, with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and his message of hope and love for neighbours and even for enemies. However the young religious themselves also benefited, overcoming difficulties and experiencing the joy of being missionaries. “We see now what it means to be the living Church, a community of communion and mission”, they said.
The leaders of the different congregations say this sort of experience is bound to foster more vocations, already abundant in the difficult situation, geographical, social and cultural of North East India.
The archdiocese of Guwahati is guided by Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, a personality highly appreciated all over the area for his commitment by Christians and non Christians as a man of peace and mediator in conflict.
The region suffers from isolation from the rest of the country; the people belong to numerous different ethnic groups each with their own culture and traditions and for the children there is little access to education. Fides learned from Archbishop. Menamparampil, “in this situation Christian communities offer good example as they strive to be peace-builders, enriching tribal cultures with Christian values. The ears and hearts of our tribal people are open and ready to welcome the Good News. The Catholic Church is renowned and appreciated for what she does in the fields of peace-building, development promotion, education and charitable work”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/3/2009 righe 29 parole 291)
