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 Seminar on Consecrated life:
“PROPHETIC DIMENTION OF RELIGIOUS LIFE”
Kripalaya, the institute of philosophy and religion had very well
organized a seminar on Consecrated life under the theme of “PROPHETIC
DIMENTION OF RELIGIOUS LIFE” on the 13th of August 2015. The resource person
was the present CRI president of Mysuru diocese Rev. Fr. Dominic Vas, OCD.
The seminar began with invoking the grace of God by chanting a bhajan by the
Kripalaya choir. The dean of studies Br. Rocky D’Cunha welcoming the
gathering said that a prophetic religious is the one announces good news,
denounces evil and bear witness to the good news one announces. He extended
a cordial and fraternal welcome to all the participants and made them to
feel at home. There were around 250 religious men and women mostly from the
neighbourhood of Kripalaya. Br. Rocky had the privilege of introducing the
key speaker of the day.
The seminar was based on the Popes Francis’ call to the YEAR OF RELIGIOUS
LIFE. Pope Francis in his Apostolic letter “Witness of Joy” says that he is
counting on us ‘to wake up the world’ because the distinctive feature of the
consecrated life is to prophecy. And the speaker rightly emphasized on this
topic by referring to the various aspect of a prophet. The talk thus began
by clarifying the meaning of a “religious person”. He is the one who follows
the Lord in a special way, in a prophetic way. It is even necessary in our
time to be prophets and witness to Jesus as he lived on this earth.
The Bible is the ultimate norm of religious life. The foundation of the
religious life is rooted in the Holy Trinity. In the Old Testament the
prophets were regarded as those who had a special call of inspiration and
dynamism in their life. In the New Testament prophets had the function to
inspire and lead a religious life. Hence religious life is prophetic,
inspiring and witnessing – sign value. Thus prophet is a sign, a living
witness of the presence and creative action of the Holy Spirit in the
Church. The renewal can be brought through five sources such as Christ,
Prayer, Charism, Communion and Charity-Mission.
Pope Francis says that the modern world requires a joyful religious not a
gloomy disciple of Jesus. A religious by becoming joyful is called to wake
up the world and people. How a religious can wake up the world and people? A
religious can be a true witness to Christ by living one’s religious life
sincerely and faithfully. Avoid huge buildings in villages and slum areas.
“Let the place of work be well-equipped, but place of stay simple” (Pope
Paul VI). Through our life of profession and vows (marriage) to Christ, we
can become prophetic through our faithfulness to Christ forever. Here our
Religious life can be a witness where we take care of the sick, invalid and
the aged better than their own family. The resource person said that he was
of the opinion that home for the aged in religious life should be
discouraged. Because as we grow older we don’t need much food or luxury, but
the company, love and acceptance from the young. That itself gives meaning,
hope and joy to the elderly. Another thing we have to keep in mind: avoid
gossiping. Religious communities should become witnesses of communion: “Be a
pro-active” person and not “re-active person”. In Religious life there
should not be “compare and compete” among individuals and institutions
(schools); it is worldly. Religious should collaborate and co-operate, and
be service minded.
Addressing the crowd at St. Peter’s Basilica on 2 February 2015, on the Day
of Consecrated Life during Angelus Pope Francis said, “My dear religious,
how the Church will be without the religious? Without you can we think of
schools, hospitals, missions, home for the aged, orphanages? You are a
greatest gift given to the world by God. The world needs your presence:
- To preach the word of God without fear.
- To spread Christian education .
- To help the needy.
- To make the spiritual life grow in the world.
- To cultivate an aura of justice.
- To educate the youth in Divine and Human values.
- To make the families the temples of Peace”.
A plant without roots has no life; in the same way we can never think of
Church without religious to carry on her mission. So the present world is a
world of Joy as Pope Francis emphasizes that “Where there are religious
there is Joy”.
Br. Santa, the rector of Kripalaya thanked the resource person for his
enlightenment on the topic and challenging us to live our religious life a
prophetic way. He also thanked the dean of studies, Br. Rocky for organizing
such a seminar. The seminar was concluded by singing the Kripalaya anthem
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