ASIA/INDIA - The Franciscans prepare the Year for consecrated life

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - A Mission "in the Franciscan style" that passes through India; a special campaign to eradicate violence against women; a series of pastoral initiatives and of evangelization in different Indian states: are the activities that the Franciscans of India, about 50 thousand between friars and nuns, present in 165 civil provinces, promote on the occasion of the Year for consecrated life, proclaimed by Pope Francis, which opens on November 30, 2014.
As reported in a statement sent to Fides by the "Association of the Franciscan Families of India" (AFFI), the Franciscans intend to discover the deeper meaning of their presence in India, promoting national formation programs, with follow-up at a regional level, seminars for formators and people involved in the educational apostolate and social works.
Fr. Nithiya Sagayam, OFM Cap, national coordinator of AFFI, reports that a celebration of all Franciscans consecrated will be held in Veilankanni from 1 to 4 March 2015 and will be centered on the Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium". A second national meeting is scheduled from August 3 to 6, 2015 and during the year the campaign against violence on women will continue, particularly aimed at those involved in education, lawyers, doctors, educators, religious leaders. Many initiatives will be promoted at a local level, in various states of India. "Particular attention - concludes Fr. Sagayam - will be about how to make our consecrated life, as Franciscans, an effective witness of the Gospel, in being and in the apostolate". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/10/2014)


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