- spiritual-animation
- / Conference /
- November 29, 2024
National Colloquium on Arnoldus Spirituality and Mission Today
A National Colloquium on Arnoldus Spirituality and Mission Today was organized at Atma Darshan, Mumbai from 13-15 November 2024. The three-day colloquium was attended by 68 members of the Arnoldus Family in the Indo-Bangla Sub zone. Among them there were 33 SVDs, 22 SSpS and 13 SVD-SSpS Lay Partners. The theme of the National Colloquium was: “New Wine in Fresh Wineskins: Becoming Creative Disciples in Today’s Wounded World”.
The keynote address was delivered by Fr. Stanislaus Lazar SVD, the General Mission Secretary from Rome. He outlined some of the creative ways and means of doing mission in the “wounded world” of today and in the socio-political context of India. This was followed by the video presentations of Sr. Miriam Altenhofen SSpS, the Congregational Leader of SSpS; Fr. Peter Dušička SVD, the Coordinator for Spiritual Amination and a message from Fr. Xavier Thirukudumbam SVD, the Vice General on behalf of Rev. Fr. Anselmo Ribeiro SVD, the Superior General of SVD.
The three days’ inputs were given mostly by the SVDs and SSpS in India as well as some personal sharing on Living the Arnold Spirituality in personal and family life by SVD-SSpS and two lay partners. The sharing by Sr. Cini George, SSpS from Indore who is bedridden for the past eleven years due to her illness was heartfelt and inspirational that moved all the participants. We were also enriched by a special session on eco-spirituality and going green as creative mission by Bishop Alwyn D’Silva, the Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai. Likewise, Mr. Alan Doulton, a layman from Pune spoke on the synergy of leadership: re-visioning the ecclesial and missionary leadership. On the third and final day, the sessions focused on the Formation and the challenges today, women’s empowerment and social issues that affect our life and mission. There was also a special personal sharing by a survivor of domestic violence and a testimony by an LGBTQA+ member.
At the end, a group discussion took place at the Province/Region level and an Action Plan was drawn up for implementation. This Colloquium was an initiative of the Arnold Janssen Spirituality Network (A.J.S.N) in India. The last such National Colloquium was held in Nov 2011 at Atma Darshan, Mumbai. It was truly an Arnoldus Family experience of togetherness, fellowship and missionary response in our context in India. We are grateful to all SVD-SSpS Provincial Leaders for their support and encouragement. My heartfelt thanks to the core team that planned in detail and organized it so well.
Fr. Gregory Arockiam, SVD
