Thursday, July 31, 2014

Visitation of South Province of Tamilnadu

Yesterday Br. Arockiam provincial minister came to Trichy to take me to his province. After some rest in the afternoon we left for Dindigul by road. It took us some 3 hours. On the way we met the newly appointed Archbishop of Madurai who is a friend of the capuchins, he was the bishop of Dindigul and will be installed as the archbishop of Madurai on 24th of August. 
From there Br. Arockiam took me to his relatives for dinner. Then to a village for the midnight Mass in honor of st. ignatius.....I have seen and witnessed many village feasts but nothing like the one i attended yesterday. We were taken in procession with band at 10pm with garlands around our neck. The bands were playing religious music. The Mass began sharp 12pm and ended around 2pm....great experience.
Before this village provincial drove me to another village to witness the festal celebration....i am impressed with the faith of the people.
This morning we visited one priest who runs an home for the aged and then came to Coimbotur to begin the visitation. I spoke the friars after the dinner and tomorrow onwards i will begin meeting individual friars.
 The newly appoint Archbishop with Provincial Arockiam and me




 The relatives of Br. Arokiam where we had our dinner...very good Catholics.....they are farmers but for las three years no rains....they are finding difficult to manage their families.....
 The procession with Band to the Church....all priests were taken in procession...
 The faithful from all near by parishes and the parishioners of st, Ignatius parish
 Fr. Arokiam preaching a homily to around 5000 people for the midnight mass

 PARISH PRIEST BLESSING THE CAR PROCESSION WHICH STARTS AT 2AM TILL 6AM
 THE STATUE OF ST. IGNATIUS AND OTHER SAINTS BEING TAKEN IN PROCESSION WITH POM AND RELIGIOSITY

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