Barrackpore, India. Half-day seminar on the theme, “Challenges of Religious Life in the light of New Wine in the New Wineskins” was arranged at Claret Nivas, Barrackpore, Kolkotta in collaboration with ICL: Institute of Consecrated Life – Sanyasa on 10th August 2019 at 2.30 pm to 5.45 pm. The resource person of the day was Fr. M. Arul Jesu Robin, CMF, the director of ICL. 75 consecrated persons from different congregations participated in it. There were two input sessions and an interactive session. The first session was dedicated for analyzing the present challenges of consecrated life especially in the context of India. The speaker pointed out of the structures and practices which existed before Vatican II serving as safety measures and networks and the collapse of the same. He also underlined the new attractions and distractions of the world disorienting consecrated persons of today.
The second session was on the exposition of the Church document, “New Wine in the New Wineskins – The Consecrated Life and Its On-going Challenges since Vatican II”. The context, the content and its significance to the present consecrated persons of India were well brought out. The speaker also pointed out the importance of deep contemplative prayer life, following the radicalism of the Gospel, fraternal and joyful community life, committed and satisfying apostolic ministry as some of the indispensable elements for happy and healthy consecrated life. Then, there was a group discussion in which the participants discussed certain relevant issues of consecrated persons and shared their reflections with the assembly. The seminar came to an end with the concluding remarks by Rev. Fr. Lawrence, CMF, the Major Superior of Kolkotta Independent Delegation who also moderated the seminar. In his address, he exhorted the religious to pass on from ego-centrism to Jesus compassion. Special thanks are due to Fr. George Kollamparampil, CMF and Fr. L. Antony, CMF, the superior and Prefect of the students of Claret Nivas respectively who meticulously arranged the seminar in a short time.
Report from: Fr. Arul Jesu Robin, CMF (Director, ICL)
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