NASHIK, NOVEMBER 3, 2009: According to the articles 37-40 of the Liturgical Constitution (Sacrosanctum Concilium) twelve articles/proposals for certain adaptations in the Liturgy in India, have been permitted by the Holy See on April 25, 1969 (Consilium ad Exsequendam Constitutionem de Sacra Liturgia). For information, one could refer to this document and the articles in the first pages of the Roman Missal (p. lxxv). Adaptation in liturgy is a small attempt in trying to do away with certain forms of alienations that exist between Christians and people of other faiths. For Christians in India, the Hindu festival of Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights’, is closely linked with ‘Christ the Light’ and is a good occasion for adaptation in liturgy. With this in mind, the parish of Don Bosco Nashik celebrated the festival of Diwali in October 2009.
The celebrations began at 7 pm with an Indian Rite Eucharist presided over by Fr. Nelson Falcao, Parish Priest and Professor of Indian Philosophy and Religion. Great care had been taken to prepare a traditional ambient for the celebration with colourful rangolis, diyas and beautiful flowers prepared by brothers Johnson, Neville and Satpur youth. All the faithful and the priests were welcomed with a kunkum (tilakam) put on the foreheads by the girls of Satpur. Fr. Nelson led the congregation into prayer, explaining the significance of each symbol and prayer, chanting Shlokas in Sanskrit and rendering their meaning in English. During the homily, he explained the significance of the six days of Diwali, relating them to contemporary themes such as ecological harmony and respect for women. The solemn triple aarti done by the Parish Youth Girls accompanied by a devotional hymn was another high point of the celebration. Other hymns in Marathi and Hindi also added to the beauty of the Eucharist.
The celebrations concluded with sharing of Diwali sweets and lighting fireworks. An attempt was made to restrict the ‘noise’ and to celebrate an “Eco-friendly Diwali”. Among those present were sisters, the scholastics from Divyadaan, other Religious and quite a number of parishioners. The gathering dispersed after the celebration to spread the message of Christ the light to others.