Diwali’s Celebration and Fr. Provincial’s Visit to Mumbai, India
By Raphael Wol, SJ
Greetings to you all companions from Mumbai, where we continue to experience exceptionally hot weather and poor air quality. Some of the key factors contributing to Mumbai’s poorer air quality are: Open burning of solid waste and garbage and use of Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants and casting yard plants as well as continued bursting of firecrackers. We pray and hope that it subsides soon.
Diwali’s Celebration
Diwali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. It symbolizes the victory of light over the darkness. In India it is widespread custom that is the lighting of lamps on the night beautified with Rangoli, various sweets/snacks (Faral) are made at homes which are distributed among the friends and relatives to share the happy moments of these days.
This festival is celebrated on the names and events of individuals five days of Diwali areas Dhanteras, Narak Chaturthi, Laxmi Puja, Balipratipada and Bhai Dooj. During this festival, traditional Indian sweets distribution and display of fireworks takes place. The entire ambience of the function is typically Indian with Deeps, Kandils and Rangoli.
Notably, the University of Mumbai organized a get-together for all the International students. The aim and the objective of this get-together was to acquaint the meaning of Diwali to the International students. Small cultural programs such as Group Song, Folk Orchestra, Folk Dance, etc graced the function. At the end of the event, all the International students were felicitated by the auspicious hands of University Authorities.
Fr. Provincial’s Visit to Mumbai
It’s been a moment of grace and consolation to have Fr. Provincial, Kizito Kiyimba, visiting Mumbai during this Festive Season. It is a time where India as a country celebrates the Festival of Light (Diwali).
Fr. Kizito arrived in Mumbai for his Canonical visitation on November 11, 2023. He spent two days at St. Xavier’s High School Community and visited St. Xavier’s College where Sch. Raphael resides and studies respectively.
In his meeting with Fr. Jude Fernandes SJ, the superior of St. Xavier’s High School Community, Fr. Kizito expressed his gratitude for all the support and accompaniment that is given to the Jesuits of Eastern Africa Province by the Bombay Jesuits. “We are happy to have the scholastics from Eastern Africa Province among us, send us more”, Fr. Jude added.
The community members on their side thanked Fr. Kizito for the collaboration that the AOR Province has with the Bombay Jesuits Province and have asked for continued collaboration between the two Provinces so that men in formation are able to be formed and become global citizens, emphasizing on the inculturation and adaptability to be inculcated throughout their life as Jesuits.
In his meeting with scholastic Raphael, Fr. Kizito recommends him (Raphael) to prepare a space for those who will be missioned to Mumbai by engaging the college at the national level, creating a network and keeping the link that would be of a great significant as far as Mumbai mission is concerned. He also reiterated to keep strike and balance between academics, religious life, and the Jesuit didactic ethos.
An Excursion at Marine Drive
The Marine Drive is a long boulevard located in the southern part of Mumbai. This road was built by philanthropist Pallonji Mistry and Bhagojisheth Keer. This road is a C-shaped concrete road with six lanes running along the coast. It connects Nariman point with Malabar Hill, along Babulnath.
Visit to St. Xavier’s College and the Community
The visit to St. Xavier’s College was one of its kind as well. In the sense that, Fr. Kizito was able to meet with the Jesuits working in the college. The visit began with the college campus tour in which Fr. Arun de Souza SJ, the Director of Self-financed Courses at St. Xavier’s College, led.
It was then followed by a talk in which Fr. Arun expressed his colossal gratitude for the presence of AOR scholastic, studying at St. Xavier’s College. I quote: “It is such a good thing that scholastics may come and do their special studies here. India is good in education, and it offers the best opportunities possible to students who are willing to excel in their future careers”, Fr. Arun said. Recalling the time, he spent at Arrupe Jesuit University in Zimbabwe, teaching Sociology, he appreciates all the experiences he got which he said, have helped, shaped and changed his perspective about life and the people of Africa.
Fr. Kizito on his part expresses the joy and gratitude of the AOR Province to St. Xavier’s College for granting an opportunity and place for studies to AOR scholastics.
Brief history of St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai
The college is named after St. Francis Xavier, the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit saint. Its campus in South Mumbai is built in the Indo-Gothic style of architecture and recognized as a heritage structure. Founded by German Jesuits in 1869, Xavier’s developed rapidly from 1884 to 1914.
At present, in India, the Society runs 36 Pre- Primary/Primary/Middle Schools, 130 High Schools, 20 Technical Institutes and 33 Colleges. All these institutions form a part of the effort of the Catholic Church to share in the vital task of education.
Crest and Motto
It shows an eagle teaching its young to fly. Above it, on the left side is the emblem of the Society of Jesus, which consists of the first three Greek initials for “Jesus” set in a sun; on the right is a chequered moon, taken from the arms of the house of Xavier.
St. Xavier’s College Community Members
May God bless you abundantly (bhagavaan aap sabhee ko bharapoor aasheervaad den)
भगवान आप सभी को भरपूर आशीर्वाद दें…Till then…
