The world was created by God for sharing his joy with every creature.

Rev. Fr Antony Perumanur MST

      The world was created by God for sharing his joy with every creature. As the angels announced the birth of the Saviour, the humankind received the permanent assurance of perpetual joy; Jesus himself became the Good News of peace and joy to all humanity. Hence, today this proclamation should be carried out not only in an atmosphere of joy, but it must also be a reason for joy for all.

      The Good News which Jesus proclaimed and which he himself became was especially a “good news to the poor…..release to the captives…and liberty to those who are oppressed”. It was thus he announced “the acceptable year of the Lord” (Lk.4: 18-20). As this good news was fulfilled in Jesus, so must it be fulfilled in and through our life and mission.

As a young boy I was very active in my home parish. I enjoyed every Sunday afternoon. Because it was on Sundays that the members of the Cherupushpa Misison League visited families to collect fund for the mission. I am sure that it was then that my missionary vocation sprouted. I always cherish in my mind my regency experiences in Bhajarangarh a remote village in the diocese of Ujjain in 1985. There was no pakka road to the village. There was no other communications such as News paper, televisions etc. But I enjoyed the company of a group of poor people in the village. I could gather small children in the village and teach them alphabets both in English and Hindi. In the rainy season swimming across the river Kshipra and walking more than 12 kilometers to go to Ujjain for the monthly recollection of the Brothers were all days which I dearly keep in my memory.

After becoming a priest I was mainly in the formation houses and Institutions. However, I was fortunate to be the secretary of late Bishop John Perumattam, a great missionary with full of dedication zeal to the core.  I could always accompany him to visit all mission stations and encourage the missionaries at their work. But I am convinced of my missionary vocation wherever I am and whatever work I am entrusted with.

When we understand the mission as the fruit of deep God-experience, we will be able to take all feasible approaches and methods in order to share that experience with others.

Actors of "Jesus The Savior" A still from Mission Year Mega Stage show Performed at Kochi on 15th January 2012