jubliee2009

The Pauline Family in Mumbai celebrated the Grand Finale – the closing of the Pauline Year which began with the solemn Eucharistic celebration at the Chapel of the Daughters of St Paul, Bandra, Mumbai on 28 June 2009 at 5.00 pm. It gave us an all an opportunity to thank God for having called Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles and the teacher of all God’s people, especially ourselves. The Soul stirring Eucharistic Celebration, especially the homily by Fr Varghese Gnalian SSP put us all on the right track to reflect on Paul who was completely captured by Christ and for whom he gave his entire self after the dramatic experience on the road to Damascus.

After the Eucharist, the Pauline Family gathered together for an enriching evening wherein members of Society of St Paul, Daughters of St Paul, Sister Disciples of the Divine Master and the Lay Pauline Co-operators shared their experiences and views on Paul. A skit by the Postulants of the Daughters of St Paul and Juniors of the Society of St Paul directed by Mr Ladislaus D’Souza, a Lay Pauline Co-operator was the hallmark of the evening get-together. There were also dances by the formees which added flavour to the celebration.

In dedicating the year to St Paul, Pope Benedict asked us "to discover anew the apostle Paul, and see what he had to say to our times". It was indeed a very unique celebration where Paul was our main focus Although the Pauline year comes to an end, as Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls in Rome said, "The Pauline Door... will remain open, and the Pauline flame lit by the Holy Father at the beginning of this year will continue to burn... reminding all the richness and profundity of the Word of God transmitted to us by the Apostle of the Gentiles." These same sentiments were expressed by Sr Ancy John, our Provincial in her vote of thanks at the conclusion of the Closing of the Pauline Year. May St Paul continue to penetrate our minds and hearts to increase our love for the Word of God and to transmit it through our life and mission.