Five members of the SVD AUS Province joined with missionaries from the provinces in the Asia-Pacific in Mumbai, India, recently to focus on the Society’s four Characteristic Dimensions.

The Characteristic Dimensions are Mission, Communications, Bible, and Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC), and they form the four key priorities of the Society of the Divine Word, all around the world.

The confreres from the AUS Province to take part in the meeting were Fr Truc Quoc Phan (Mission), Fr Prakash Menezes (Communications), Fr Elmer Ibarra (Bible) and Fr Michael Hardie (JPIC). They were joined by Provincial, Fr Henry Adler.

The venue for the meetings and workshops was Atma Darshan, the spirituality centre founded by Fr Gregory Pinto SVD, on the Gyan Ashram campus at Andheri East, not far from Mumbai city centre.

“It was a haven of peace and quiet amidst the suburban rush and noise,” said Fr Michael Hardie.

“Our days were very busy, with workshops, group gatherings and plenary sessions to be attended. All told, up to 45 delegates representing the ASPAC provinces came to Atma Darshan.”

Fr Michael said the hospitality offered by the Indian confreres and the Atma Darshan staff was truly excellent, and a highlight of the trip was a half day tour of Mumbai.

“Not long enough, one might think, for such a vast city of more than 20 million people, but enough to experience the buses, the traffic, the crowded roads, the hot tea, the Gateway of India and the friendly city dwellers,” he said.

“Other events included a visit to the SSpS hospital, the SVD parish of the Sacred Heart, and a chance to experience the Lord Ganesh festival celebrations mid-week, jamming the Mahakali Caves Road beside our SVD parish with noise, drumming, firecrackers and dancing.”

But Fr Michael said that most impressive was the work being done in the ASPAC zone by the SVD, SSpS and lay mission partners.

“The outreach to the poor and disadvantaged of the zone is truly inspirational,” he said.

“Regrettably, under present government policies, India no longer accepts overseas missionaries.

“Should this situation ever change, then the provinces of India would once again be able to welcome young confreres just beginning their missionary journeys of service to the poor - for India has lots of them, and the need is great.”