GOLDEN  JUBILEE - INAUGURATION

The Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Archdiocese of Bhopal was solemnly inaugurated by His Excellency Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, with a Solemn High Mass accompanied by Most Rev. Leo Cornelio, the Archbishop of Bhopal, Most Rev. Pascal Topno, Archbishop Emeritus of Bhopal, Bishops of Jabalpur, Khandwa, Sagar, and Ujjain, over hundred priests, five hundred religious Sisters and Brothers and about six thousand faithful on 21 October, 2012 at 4 pm. The Holy Mass was held in the newly blessed and inaugurated ‘Jubilee Memorial Hall’ of the Bhopal School of Social Sciences, and was followed by a colourful cultural program and a sumptuous meal for all the participants. The meticulously arranged Holy Mass together with the melodious singing by the youth and the short and meaningful commentary for the Liturgy further added the prayerful atmosphere of the inaugural ceremony.

The rich, vibrant and colourful cultural programme that followed the Holy Mass was indeed breath-taking. Several renowned schools from the City of lakes astounded the audience with their dazzling presentations and left everyone dumbfounded. A short animation depicting the history of the Archdiocese in the last fifty years and its major area of apostolate aptly situated the Ceremony to its context.

The Apostolic Nuncio to India, His Excellency Most Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio appreciated the hard work and tireless effort of everyone under the able leadership of Most Rev. Leo Cornelio for launching meaningfully the Golden Jubilee Year. He reminded everyone that Jubilee must be an occasion of a total renewal in the Archdiocese in its life and various apostolates. In the Public Gathering a few persons and institutions like late Mr RC Sharma, the Congregations of Cappuccins, St Joseph of Chambery, Missionaries of Charity, Mount Carmel were honoured for their selfless service to the Archdiocese. A special issue of Bhopal Link was released on the occasion with a few exclusive articles, wishes and a short history. The gathering was commendably huge and a sumptuous meal was served to all present. The various committees – of Invitation, Liturgy, Publicity, Ushering, Cultural Programme, and Food - deserve deep appreciation and gratitude for making the day a memorable one. May the good Lord bless and reward each of them abundantly.

In the morning of the D-day, the Apostolic nuncio blessed one of the projects of the Jubilee, namely, the Rosary Garden in the premises of Infant Jesus Church premise, Kalpana Nagar. It was attended by many priests, religious and people. 

On the next day, the Nuncio, in a small function held in the Archbishop’s House, was welcomed and complemented by Mr Shivraj Singh Chauhan , the honourable Chief Minister of the State, a group of ministers and invited bureaucrats from  the government.  The Chief Minister declared the Nuncio as a State Guest in recognition to his visit to Bhopal, the city of lakes. Addressing the gathering in the Archbishop’s house, Most Rev Leo Cornelio said that the Church is in safe hands under the leadership of Honourable Chief Minister and gave a briefing on the situation of the Catholic Church in Madhya Pradesh.

The Jubilee, that too the golden Jubilee, is an occasion most of all to celebrate and so the whole city rose to the occasion with hoardings, big and small, News paper coverage and adds, welcoming the Apostolic Nuncio and wished the Archdiocese the best foot forward in the future.

Fr JJohnny P. J.