The Holy Eucharist offered by Rev.Fr.Datius OCD set the tone for December 6th.
Rev.Fr.Datius OCD, Provincial of Manjummal Province was the resource person for the input sessions on 6th and 7th.
He shared his insights on the chapter theme ‘Contemplative, Committed personal life towards Joyful Witness in Community and Mission’.
§ Religious make the Church
§ Religious are called to Holiness through consecration, communion and mission
§ Two fold dynamic aspects of the Church-seeking God above all else and availability to the Church and to one another.
§ Our responsibility to seek God.
§ Religious testimony is a life of beatitudes
§ Call to Carmelite life is a call to prayer and contemplation
§ Contemplation means fixing our eyes on God
§ The Church expects us to specialize ourselves in the art of personal prayer
§ The essential elements of contemplation
- Personal relationship with Jesus
- Meditation on the Word of God
- Centrality of the Eucharist
- Sacrament of Reconciliation coupled with direction
- Devotion to Mother Mary
- Personal and community asceticism.
The delegates attentively listening to Fr.Datius OCD
Fr.Datius focused on ‘Joyful witnessing life in community’.
§ Theological reflection on community life before and after second Vatican Council
§ Communion and Community
§ Four elements of community
§ Manifestations of Individualism
Individualism is expressed in lack of communication, self sufficiency, personal freedom and personal rights.
Father quoted St.John the Baptist as a balanced person in mission
