The Catholic Diocese of Varanasi wishes all a very Happy Christmas filled with God’s blessings for the New Year 2025,
Rohit Seth
Christmas is a time when we renew our “longing “for the coming of the Emmanuel – “God with us”. We know that He comes to the world in a stable, laid in a manger among animals; his parents could find no room in the inn. He comes in silence and in the dark of the cold night, as a helpless child, bom poor among the poor. In need of everything, he knocks at the door of our hearts to find a dwelling and shelter.
Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, we are asked to set out to see the sign that God has given us. Jesus, the true light, comes amidst a world severely sick with indifference, a world that does not welcome him (cf. Jn 1:11) and indeed rejects him. Jesus the “God with us” comes to accompany us in our daily lives, to share with us in all things: our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears,
This is the ‘good news for us. We prepare ourselves for a worthy response to this invitation, and joyfully welcome a large number of visitors to the Church for ‘darshan’. Together with special attention on the crib inside the Church, prayerful atmosphere, singing, orderly entry and exit shall be maintained with the help of volunteers.
The Churches in Varanasi and other surrounding districts will conduct religious services and worship, in the interest of the convenience and health safety of everyone. In Varanasi – St. Mary’s Cathedral prayer and holy Mass will be conducted on 24, December 2024 at 10.30pm. Through out this holy season, Christians will offer worship and prayer for our country and especially for our holy city Kashi. All will pray that all men and women seek Peace and truth in every endeavour of life in order to build a society based on unity, fraternity and justice.
In a concrete way, the Catholic community involves in various works of mercy towards the most the neighbourhood, in slums, in the in prisons, in orphanages providing clothing. food and etc.. needhood helps. Solidarity with our weakest brothers and sisters, and being close to the struggles of the marginalised is the WAY taught by Jesus to ALL of us. The visual & hearing impaired, the s, the homeless, lepers, the prisoners, the orphans and the abandoned children ete, are the ones whom we reach out in service.
The celebration with the specially-abled people of Purvanchal, following SoP standards for the health of all, will be on 2nd January 2025 at St. John’s School, DLW. This in essence, is
announcing God’s mercy and peace to those seen as ‘least’ in the Society.
May everyone, like the Lord Jesus, care for the poor, help the needy and promote justice in our land. May violence in our society end, and may our leaders govern us with wisdom and sagacity and may every Indian, man and woman, boy and girl, experience “equality, fraternity and liberty and rise up to welcome the “true light” shining bright on the whole world.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025 to all.