Journeying Together

Journeying Together

Journeying Together

Previous Next

On 7 May 2022 the Emmaus Province of the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS) was bifurcated and a new province called MCBS Param Prasad was established with its headquarters at Kalady, Ernakulam. This new province undertakes the publishing of Smart Companion Magazine launched in 2010 under the leadership of Fr Jacob Naluparayil MCBS and late Fr Jacob Srampickal SJ. Companion is an accompaniment, a journeying together just like Jesus walked together with the disciples of Emmaus explaining the scriptures and interpreting the mystery of salvation. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them. Jesus ignited their minds, opened their eyes and they recognized him (Lk 24,13-32). Pope Francis inspired by the teachings of St Francis of Assisi and St Charles de Foucauld has been advocating the spirituality and lifestyle of human fraternity which has become a golden string in the contemporary milieu of war, crime, and disharmony. One of the significant fruits of Second Vatican Council is the concept and practice of Christian unity launched by Augustine Cardinal Bea with the establishment of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a joint global initiative of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. In 1908 Episcopalian Reverend Paul Wattson in Graymoor, New York initiated the Octave for Church Unity. This is held annually between the Feast of the Chair of St Peter (18 January) and the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul (25 January). The theme of the Christian Unity Octave of 2023 is “Do good; seek justice’ (Is 1:17) which reminds us that only by being good to others and only by maintaining justice in our relationships a better world can be expected. Isaiah invited us to do good together; to seek justice together, to help the oppressed together, to protect orphans, and defend widows together. On 15 January 2023, Pope Francis, recalling this ecumenical time, announced a new event: “We thank the Lord who faithfully and patiently guides His people towards full communion, and we ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten and sustain us with His gifts. The path for Christian unity and the path of synodal conversion of the Church are linked. I therefore take this opportunity to announce that an ecumenical prayer vigil will take place in St Peter’s Square on Saturday 30 September, in which we will entrust to God the work of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops”.