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I fully understand the sentiments expressed by Anna de Souza Goswami and
Edwin, I too would say ......let the inculturation go on. I really think
many people are making "much ado about nothing" regarding the Hindu Mass
that Roland talked about. What is the essence of the Catholic Mass? It is
not the decorations, flowers, hymns, aarti etc. For me the real essence is
the Celebration of the Eucharist. It does not matter if the hymns are in
Latin, Hindi, Spanish , Konkani, English or any other language. As a matter
of fact, I have attended Masses in the languages I cited and my spirituality
was not diminshed in any way.
Several decades ago when I was in Sophia College experiments on
"indigenization of the liturgy" had just started. We had Mother Dhalla (who
was a Parsee convert to Catholicism) who taught us hymns in Hindi etc. Since
I love singing, I just took it in my stride and enjoyed the Mass with the
Hindi or Marathi hymns once in a while. Of course, there were people who
were scandalized by the new trend of the vernacular hymns and seeing the
priest don a yellow shawl etc. Over the years I have attended "indegenized
liturgical services" in Bombay, Bangalore, and Belgaum. One of the most
inspiring Masses I attended was in Belgaum at a Teacher-Training seminar.
Fr. Francis D'mello (who is now the Jesuit Provincial in Bombay) celebrated
the Mass in a meadow outside the Belgaum Retreat house where we used to
reside. He sat at a low table on the grass and all of us assembled in a
circular seating arrangement on the grass. It did not matter to us that Fr.
D'mello was wearing just a shawl around his shoulders instead of the
traditional vestments. The sharing of spontaneous prayers, heartfelt singing
of hymns and surrounding natural scenery made me feel spiritually uplifted
and filled with peace.
Here in America, I have visited a Sikh temple and taken part in the prasad
in friendship's name. In the same way, my Sikh friend has come to Christmas
Mass with my family. We are still good friends and respect each each other's
religion.
Looks like Roland has a thing against the Jesuits. I was happy to have done
my B.Ed at St. Xavier's College of education-a Jesuit institution. I enjoyed
teaching at St. Stanislaus High School in Bombay-also a Jesuit institution.
And I have many Jesuit friends. I do admire the Jesuits for many things
especially their spirituality ann strong discipline. I think they have made
us realize the beauty of our Indian cultural heritage with their
"indigenization" of the liturgy. I would certainly not call the Masses
"Hindu" Masses just because we sang Hindi or Marathi hymns or had an
"aarti".
Finally, I think religion is a very personal choice. I respect all religions
and I like to look for points of unity rather than divisiveness. I am very
proud of my Indian heritage not just my Catholic Goan heritage!
Mercy Fernandes
Texas US)
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