India: Religious superiors explore ‘heartbeat of the Church’

By Don Jinu Jacob

Publishers of L’Osservatore Romano in India recently organised an Intensive Program at the Eco-Spirituality center at Sengulam near Munnar in the District of Idukki, Kerala, India, specifically for the Major Superiors of Women Religious in Kerala, India.

Originally slated for March 11-15, 2024, a desire expressed by several Major Superiors prompted the same program to be held again on April 1-5.

Themed "Ignite, Inspire, and Empower: Together, We Feel the Heartbeat of the Church," the initiative saw 105 participants, boasting the presence of 4 Superior Generals, 25 Provincials, and 76 General/Provincial Councillors.

The primary objectives of this immersive program were twofold: to equip Major Superiors with the tools necessary to navigate the mounting challenges confronting religious life globally, and to embolden them in fulfilling their duties with efficacy and grace.

Leadership, the central motif, was dissected into three distinct dimensions: Institutional Leadership, Personal Leadership, and Extra-rational Leadership.

Drawing upon the timeless wisdom enshrined in Biblical teachings and Church doctrines, participants were urged to find ways to rekindle their inspiration and that of their members.

Guided by the Holy Spirit and the authoritative directives of the Church as described in Perfectae Caritatis, Superiors were instructed to guide those under their care as children of God and manage their assets as Ecclesial goods with prudence and fidelity.

The Major Superiors and members were also introduced to the document published by the Dicastery for Communication, Towards Full Presence - A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with social media, as a guideline for communication best-practices in religious institutions.

The curriculum blended theoretical insights with practical directives, furnishing Superiors with the requisite acumen to tackle the issues they face in their daily responsibilities. Interactive sessions, workshops, and conversations facilitated the discussion of practical strategies, to help the superiors serve as beacons amidst the seas of religious administration.

The program advocated for the practical integration of Synodality, a principle championed by Pope Francis, both within and beyond the Synod of Bishops.

The Carmelite Fathers hosted the event

The initiative sought to equip Major Superiors with the tools necessary to guide others with vision as part of the fabric of everyday religious life.

The importance of “Sentire cum Ecclesia” was insisted in the class requiring the Major Superiors to be always open to the needs of the local Church and the Universal Church in the inspiring model of St. Teresa of Avila, who had ardently proclaimed, “I am the daughter of the Church.”

The Superiors were offered a subscription of L’Osservatore Romano and access to other documents of the Church. The Major Superiors also gave their support to the “One Library for one Parish, One L’Osservatore Romano for one Family” Program, aimed at bringing the teachings of the Church to each Catholic, especially to younger generations.

The Superiors pledged their support and cooperation to diffuse understanding of the Documents of the Church through various competitions, such as Quiz Competitions.

The program represented a unique initiative put on by the Carmel International Publishing House, the publishers of the L’Osservatore Romano in India, with the purpose of spreading the news of the Church and the sermons of the Pope.

The Discalced Carmelites have a long-standing tradition of being at the service of the Indian Church as Formators to the Secular Clergy and Religious for the last many centuries.

Fr. Joseph Edappulavan, OCD (the Director of Avila Eco-Spirituality Centre, Sengulam), Fr. Sebastian Koodappattu, OCD, and Fr. James Alakuzhiyil, OCD (The Director of Carmel International Publishing House, Trivandrum, which publishes the L’Osservatore Romano) served as the animators and resource personnel for this program.