HONAVAR, India.
On November 23, 2013, the Church of San Pedro Poveda in Honavar, India, celebrated a great feast, with the participation of thirty priests from different parishes and churches in nearby communities.
The temple had to be extended by adding chairs and a colorful fabric roof. More than five hundred people participated in the event, something slightly unusual that astonished me very much because this area is Hindu and every 10 meters one finds a temple where they worship different deities. The image of Saint Pedro Poveda had been decorated with a flower necklace. People offered their prayer and appreciation, and they put candles on large platforms, which have the local meaning that "they are at his feet."
Joseph Vaz, an ACIT member, said the introductory words and a choir of thirty youth accompanied the celebration with solemnity
The priest who presided at the Eucharist gave a brief overview of the life of St. Pedro Poveda and thanked him for his work throughout the world, particularly in the thirty countries where the Teresian Association (TA) is present. The TA is present in 30 countries and always works in the fields of culture, education, and fights for dignity and justice. He thanked especially the presence and activities of the Teresian Association in Honavar, as well as the projects and activities we have in India. He asked the Lord to continue to bless all the people who are part of it. During the ceremony a relic of St. Pedro Poveda was blessed and it was exposed in a monstrance for veneration throughout the day. After the celebration the pastor invited the priests, religious, and members of the TA who were present to a meal. It was an encounter in which we sang and celebrated with “Happy Feast, Happy Birthday.”
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Relatives and friends had arrived from different places. One could listen to the joy and celebration in the homes as they shared delicious meals. In the afternoon people danced different regional dances in the atrium of the church. The young people, both boys and girls, gave a demonstration of their skill at today’s dances. Awards were given to winners of different contests and the day ended with the presentation of a funny play. Everyone enjoyed it.
Popular devotion and closing of the Year of Faith
The celebrations continued through Sunday, November 24. The day began with Mass and in the evening there was a "holy hour" prepared by the members of the TA: Nancy, Elizabeth and Benjamin. It was a way to give thanks to the Lord for everything received during the year and also end the Year of Faith.
The prayer texts and petitions were taken from the letter of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. These invited us to renew our faith with greater life coherence, with greater humility, to listen to and attend to the poor, the marginalized of this earth, and to show through our actions that our faith in Christ generates life and cares for life. Also we received the invitation to remain witnesses of faith, to celebrate, express, and be grateful for our Faith. Later there was a procession with lit candles through the atrium (which is a large field). We asked the Blessed Sacrament to "keep us strong in faith and alive in hope for the presence of Christ our King.” All the lights of the church, both inside and out, were lit as a sign of the living presence of Christ who is our light and our way of truth and peace. I thank the Lord for being able to share in this space. The people's faith hit me a lot. The people and the priests of the different communities showed the devotion to Saint Pedro Poveda. I had never felt so strongly that Pedro Poveda is really Good News for the world. Thanks for the TA presence in India because it is being a message of hope for many people.
María Ángeles López
Photos: Nancy Fernandes