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Pope to celebrate Diwali with Mass

Josy Joseph in New Delhi

The Holy Mass on Diwali to be led by Pope John Paul II in New Delhi will have a strong element of Indianness to it with special recognition of the Hindu festival commemorating the victory of light over darkness.

According to Church authorities, the Mass, with a heavy accent on 'inculturation', will feature Indian dancers and prayers in several Asian languages, besides special recognition of Diwali.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where the Mass, which will be the only liturgical service of the Pope open to the public, will be held is certain to be filled beyond capacity, according to present estimates.

The entire Mass, its ambience and even the vestments will pay tribute to Diwali, Rev Dr Ayres Fernandes told reporters on Saturday. Six lamps will be kept on either side of the podium from where John Paul II will conduct the Mass. "This symbolises light. Diwali is the victory of light over darkness, and that's why we have chosen this symbolic representation," Rev Fernandes said.

The prayers during the homily will remember, among others, the sick and the handicapped. According to the programme decided for the Mass, the homily will be followed by offerings of gifts from the assemblage. These gifts when put on the altar will become offerings, Rev Fernandes explained.

The offering of gifts will be preceded by a special Indian dance programme. The Mass will also include an aarati by seven Indian women with lights, flowers and incense sticks.

The prayer of the faithful will be in various Asian languages. According to Rev Fernandes, these include Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Burmese. There will also be a reading of the Testament in Hindi, he said.

He said the vestments to be worn by the bishops and other priests would feature on the front the logo for the Pope's visit while on the back will be a Christian logo that will also indicate Diwali.

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