Pilgrims of Hope – Religions Journeying For Peace

An Inter-Religious Jubilee Celebration

Archbishop John Rodrigues, Archbishop of Bombay, cordially invites you to an inter-faith gathering marking the Jubilee Year 2025.

• Date & Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

• Venue: St. Andrew's Auditorium, St Dominic Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050

• Chief Guest: Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Inter-Religious Dialogue at the Vatican

• Guest of Honour: Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Emeritus Archbishop of Bombay

The celebration draws inspiration from the encounter between St Francis of Assisi and the Sultan of Egypt, Malek Al Kamil—a paradigm for inter-faith dialogue in our time. Despite differences in religion, people of prayer can find common ground in their shared experience of the divine. Oct. 4 is the Feast day of St Francis of Assisi.

In this Jubilee year, the Archdiocesan Commission for Inter-religious Dialogue calls upon people of all faiths and traditions to journey together as "Pilgrims of Hope." Guided by the vision of the late Pope Francis, and carried forward by Pope Leo XIV, the gathering will be a moment to build bridges of peace, respect, and solidarity among the human family.

To register  CLICK HERE  Last date for registration is Sept. 25, 2025.

For registration-related help, call 79771 29728/ 98678 85678.

Priests and Religious Lawyers Meet

On August 25, 2025, ten priests and sisters who are lawyers met at Sacred Heart Church, Santa Cruz (West) to reflect on their role in the Church and in society. The meeting was chaired by Bishop Allwyn D'Silva.  Given the present situation, all felt the need for a Legal Aid Cell in the Archdiocese of Bombay. Rather than just doing reactive/crisis management work, a strong need was expressed to empower our people, and also do proactive/preventive work. All shared about their work in their respective parishes and religious communities. What was heartening to note was that the religious have their own legal setup, and they network and coordinate with ADF and the CRI at the diocesan level,  state and national levels.

Fr Felix D'Souza shared about his work with the domestic workers across the country, and certain guidelines to handle situations effectively. It was suggested to have a workshop on Safeguarding policy to provide guidance and preventive measures.

Fr Jervis D'Souza, Coordinator, Social Apostolate

Archdiocese of Bombay

Training Session for Choirs, Cantors & Lectors

Sacred Heart Church, Worli organised a training programme for the parish lectors, cantors, choir members and Parish Liturgy Team. An expert on Liturgy, Fr Savio Rodrigues, presently based at the Minor Seminary, Dadar (E) was invited to conduct it. Around 90 parishioners participated in the two-hour-long session held on August 20, 2025 in the church premises. Choir members, cantors and lectors from our English, Marathi and Konkani congregations participated.

Via informative audiovisual presentations and liturgical references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), peppered with humour and relevant anecdotes, Fr Savio took us through the meaning and celebration of the Holy Eucharist, educating us on the history, significance and practice of each moment. He began by saying that, "The Eucharist is the enactment of the dying and rising of Our Lord Jesus Christ," hence every moment of the Holy Mass has to be treated with respect and devotion.

Armed with profound insights, we were then taken by Fr Savio on A Walk Through the Mass, referring to areas in the Eucharistic celebration that were in urgent need of correction. He made us aware of prevalent liturgical practices, how to shed flawed ones, and embark on a journey where the new liturgical vision of the Church is fulfilled.

A few suggestions:

Choirs and Cantors: (1) Stop singing the entrance hymn, once the celebrant reaches the altar, even if you've practised more verses. (2) During the offertory, you can either: i) Sing the Offertory hymn, ii) keep silent (play an instrumental), or iii) Let the celebrant recite the Offertory prayer. (3) The Lord's Prayer can be sung, but it depends on the discretion of the celebrant. (4) Choirs should not receive Holy Communion first. By the time they finish, part of the congregation has already received theirs. Instead, choirs should begin the Communion hymn at once, and receive Communion at the end. But cantors, on weekdays, can receive communion first. (5) Once the communion service is over, and the celebrant is back at the altar, stop singing. Let people pray silently. (6) For the post-nuptial hymn at weddings, take just one verse, because the celebrant awaits the Prayer of the Faithful. Check the lyrics of the hymn, for many refer to romantic alliances instead of a sacramental union. (7) Be wary of hymns chosen from social media sites. Many are Protestant hymns, some of which subtly attack the Catholic Church. (8) Take new hymns only if you have taught them to the congregation first. Their participation is of prime importance. (9) Choose hymns carefully. e.g. 'As the Deer' is only inspired from Psalm 42, with only two lines taken from it. There's no mention in it of 'heart's desire, apple of my eye, real joy-giver, etc.' (10) The Gloria should be sung straight through, and not punctuated at intervals with choruses of 'Gloria,' etc.

The Lectors: (1) At the entrance procession, a lector should precede the celebrant, holding the Lectionary aloft, and keep it on the ambo. (2) Lectors should sit together at the front of the congregation. (3) Follow these instructions for scripture readings: i) Begin the reading (e.g. A reading from the Book of Samuel), then pause, then read directly (do not read the sub-title or verses mentioned). Once the reading is done, pause for a moment. Then say, "The Word of the Lord." ii) Pause again before announcing the Response to the Psalm. Some lift up their right hand to indicate repetition of the response, but the angle of the hand varies; some cannot be seen. So saying "Your response" is preferred. iv) Ask the congregation to "rise for the Gospel," not for the Acclamation. (4) At the Prayer of the Faithful, the lector should descend only after the concluding prayer by the celebrant.

There were other inputs given by Fr Savio; too many to list here.

Julius D'Souza (with inputs by Shaun Pereira)

Roots of Faith, Leaves of Hope 

August came draped in green whispers and gentle rain, carrying a quiet yet powerful call: Be an Eco-Warrior.

This Jubilee Year, the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Kandivli West, answered that call with action, not just intention. It all began on August 15, 2025—the Feast Day of Our Lady of the Assumption, and our nation's 79th Independence Day—when Community 1 stepped forward with a simple yet profound gesture: they presented a sapling to Archbishop John Rodrigues, saying: "This is the month to be eco-warriors. We begin by entrusting this mission to you, and assure you that, as a parish, we will do our best."

Across our 22 Small Christian Communities (SCCs), hands met soil, hearts turned to Creation, and one sapling at a time, a living prayer took root—for the Earth, for tomorrow, for a world longing for care. It did not take much: sometimes just ₹200, a humble seedling, a patch of garden space, and a few neighbours—young and old—gathered under the monsoon skies. With each planting came a simple prayer: "Lord, make this tree a testimony of our faith."

This was never only about planting trees. It was about planting hope. Every root that pushes into the earth is a sermon; life thrives when nurtured, Creation heals when honoured, and faith blossoms when lived.

This August, we remembered: the Earth does not belong to us; we belong to her, and through her, to God. Each unfurling leaf is now our hymn of gratitude, our Jubilee offering, our echo into the future. 

Troy Monteiro, Kandivli (W)

Christian Meditation Programme 

The WCCM Christian Meditation Community in Mumbai met at Salvation Seva Kendra Hall, Dadar, on August 30, for a prayerful half-day of meditation and reflections on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the able guidance of Fr Gavin Lopes.

We began with a 25-minute silent meditation, after which Fr Gavin gave us a prayerful reflection on the theme of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He asked us to reflect on the question: "Are you aware of God's will for you?" We often live under the assumption that it is God's will for disasters to happen, for our loved ones to be taken away, and for us to live under the shadow of a God who allows suffering in our lives. But none of this is true; God's will is to have a loving relationship with each one of us.

Yet we cannot enter into this mystery by trying to understand it, control it, or define our role in it. Mary was a simple, humble maiden who said "Yes" to God's will unfolding in her life. She did not know the "how," yet she did not falter in her commitment. She was there at the foot of the Cross, she was in the Upper Room when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles, and at the end of her life, she was taken up body and soul into heaven. In her fidelity to her "Yes," she becomes a role model for us all in how to let go and let God love us.

The feast of the Queenship of Mary (Aug. 22) is consonant with the Crowning of the Bride in the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy of Marriage, which signifies the completion of union.

After a refreshing snack break, and another 25 minutes of silent meditation, Christopher Mendonca shared a few significant points on the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Mother of the Risen Lord. Coinciding with our celebration of Independence Day, it represents our progressive movement from the freedom of choice to the freedom to be. This is what the daily practice of meditation allows to unfold within us.

Jennifer Rebello

Conceicao Rodrigues Memorial Debate 2025

The Conceicao Rodrigues Memorial Debate (CRMD) 2025, the flagship national-level annual debate competition of Fr Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering (FRCRCE), Bandra, Mumbai, was successfully held on August 22-23, 2025. This prestigious event brought together 32 premier teams from across the country, reaffirming CRMD's legacy as one of the most distinguished debating platforms.

This year's edition was hosted under the theme "The Grand Chessboard: Moves of the Modern Empire." The metaphor of the globe as a chessboard allowed participants to explore issues of geopolitics, power struggles, diplomacy, and the strategies of modern empires through rigorous debate and thoughtful discourse.

After the League Rounds, the top-performing teams advanced to the Quarter-Finals, followed by the Semi-Finals. The much-anticipated Grand Finale was held in FRCRCE's Samvaad Auditorium, in the presence of the Chief Guest, renowned journalist, Dr Sanjay Jog, and Guests of Honour, Ms Purvi Bhave and Mr Adit Ganguly. The final debate stood as a true intellectual spectacle, a culmination of wit, logic, eloquence, and strategy, perfectly embodying the essence of the theme and the spirit of CRMD.

SRM University, represented by Januja P. and Swayam Krishnan, emerged as the Winners, and were awarded prize money of ₹40,000. The Runners-Up position was secured by IIIT Nagpur's Saadullah Khwaja and Shlok Shah, who received a prize of ₹25,000. In the individual categories, Swayam Krishnan was honoured with the title of Best Speaker, while Sanjyot Umbrajkar was recognised as the Best Adjudicator, each receiving a prize of ₹7,500.

 Sunil D'Cruz

Sunday School Walking Pilgrimage 

Our Lady of the Sea Church, Uttan, is deeply blessed to embrace within its vibrant parish the serene shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni, nestled along the picturesque shore of Bhate Bunder. Renowned for its tranquil coastal setting and steadfast Christian heritage, the community is cherished for its profound faith and simple, grace-filled way of life—a legacy tenderly handed down to the children who gather with devotion at the feet of Mother Mary.

Under the guidance of Parish Priest Fr Leslie Malya and Sunday School in-charge Fr Noel, the parish organised its annual Walking Pilgrimage for Sunday School children as part of the Novena celebrations honouring Our Lady of Vailankanni. Braving the challenges of distance and heavy rain, nearly 200 children, accompanied by 20 dedicated teachers and five Sisters, set out on August 31 at 8:20 a.m. from the church, after a prayer led by Fr Anselm. As they walked in unison, their voices lifted in hymns and Rosary prayers, until they reached the shrine by 9:00 a.m., where they joyfully participated in the 9:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist.

The pilgrimage was more than a journey; it was a profound encounter with faith, a living testament to the parish's nurturing spirit and the blossoming devotion within the hearts of its young faithful.

Sr Shalini Remedios SRA

South Mumbai Deanery SCC Fellowship Programme

The South Mumbai Deanery SCC Fellowship Programme was successfully held on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at St Teresa's High School, Girgaum. The event saw the active participation of over 100 SCC Coordinators and animators from across the deanery. 

The highlight of the Fellowship programme was the keynote address by Fr Gerard Rodricks SJ, who delivered a thought-provoking session on the theme 'Synodality and Spiritual Conversation to Discern God's Will'. Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis and Church teachings, Fr Gerard elaborated on the three foundational pillars of a Synodal Church viz. Communion, Participation, and Mission.

He described Communion as a celebration of unity in diversity, Participation as the active engagement of every baptised member, and Mission as a call to lose oneself in service to God. Quoting 1 Corinthians 12:13 and 12:27-30, Fr. Gerard emphasised the Biblical basis for Synodality, reminding participants that all are part of the one Body of Christ, each with unique charisms and responsibilities.

Delving deeper, Fr Gerard introduced the concept of Spiritual Conversation, as advocated by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. This method, he explained, is a means to listen to the Holy Spirit – the true protagonist of discernment. He cited Fr Arturo Sosa, SJ and Pope Francis to reinforce the idea that "God is constantly communicating with us," and urged participants to cultivate the right disposition through regular prayer, inner freedom, humility, and a deep desire for unity.

Two vital skills were introduced during this session:

• Intentional Speaking – speaking freely and sincerely from the heart without attempting to convince or dominate;

• Active Listening, summarised in the acronym G.I.F.T

• God is speaking

• I don't know (humility)

• Full attention

• Time – giving others time to speak and be heard

Fr Gerard cautioned against turning spiritual conversations into debates or business-style meetings, and instead encouraged a spirit of openness, reflection, and prayerful listening.

Participants were then divided into smaller groups for a structured reflection on the question:

"How do we model a servant leadership that empowers community members to serve and grow spiritually?"

This group exercise unfolded in three phases:

1. Silent prayer and personal reflection, guided by the Holy Spirit;

2. Sharing and listening to one another in an open, non-judgmental space;

3. Consensus and commitment, where groups converged on actionable steps forward.

The session ended on a high note with shared fellowship and a meal, embodying the very spirit of Communion that Fr Gerard had spoken about. The event served not only as a learning opportunity, but also as a moment of grace, connection, and renewed commitment to the mission of SCCs in the Church. 

May we continue to walk together in faith and discernment, listening attentively to the Holy Spirit, as we journey forward in unity.

Nathaline Fernandes & Randolph Alexander Rodricks