Bengaluru, India. Institute of Consecrated Life (ICL) – Sanyasa organized a two-day seminar on a theme “Consecrated Persons at the Service of Youth: Reflections on the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit of Pope Francis” on November 9 – 10, 2019.
The seminar began solemnly with the reading of the Word of God, lighting of the lamp and prayer dance by the students of ICL. Then, Fr. Arul Jesu Robin, CMF, ICL Director welcomed each one warmly. Rev. Fr. Jacob Arakkal, CMF, the President of ICL and Provincial Bangalore Province gave an inaugural address in which he emphasized the importance of youth ministry in the mission of the consecrated persons. About 200 consecrated persons including novices from the neighboring communities participated actively and benefitted immensely from the seminar.
Renowned consecrated persons presented papers on the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit from different perspectives. There were all together six paper presentations and two panel discussions. On the first day of the seminar, Fr. George Panthalanickal, CMF wonderfully brought out “Biblical and Ecclesial Portrayal of the Youth and Their Significance for Consecrated Persons”. The second paper was on “Today’s Youth – Tomorrow’s Consecrated Persons” by Fr. George Kannanthanam, CMF. In the afternoon session, Sr. Michael Rita, FSJ former Superior General of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph, presented a thought-provoking paper on “Pope Francis’ Message to the Youth and Its Relevance for Consecrated Persons”. The last session was a panel discussion in which the participants were enlightened by a lively panel which included Mr. Paul from Jesus’ Youth.
Like the first day, the second day too had three presentations and a panel discussion. The first presentation was on “A Call to the Consecrated Persons for Transformation in the Light of the Gospel” by a renowned theologian Fr. Xavier Manavath, CMF, the Vicar for the Religious in the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Then, Fr. Sivy Koroth, SDB, an expert in youth ministry challenged the participants with his presentation on “Youth Ministry – A Daring Call for the Consecrated Persons”. The last paper of the seminar was on “Consecrated Persons at the Service of the Youth for Discernment” by professor Sr. Smitha Gabriel, ASI. Then, they had the panel discussion enriched by the passionate interventions by Mr. Dino of Jesus’ Youth.
Indeed, the participants highly appreciated the seminar which enabled them to be familiar with the recent church document Christus Vivit, a shot in the arm for the ministry of the consecrated persons with the young people.
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