The ethnically and religiously diverse state of Manipur has been witnessing its darkest -ever moment in history. Due to ongoing violence between Brahmin Hindus and Tribal Christians, there are currently over 100 dead and over 400 wounded. Over 249 churches have been burnt to ashes and over 50,000 people have been displaced. Therefore, the members of St. Jude’s Unit (Pandurang Wadi and Itt Bhatti) gathered on the 27th of August to participate in a prayer service for peace in Manipur.
The prayer service began at 7 p.m. with the Angelus followed by a hymn. The different parts of the prayer service, like the Introduction, Penitential Act, Gospel Reading, and Intercessory Prayers were read out by the members of the community with the Prayer for Peace being recited by all the members. This was followed by the Rosary led by Sr. Evelyn. For each decade, there was an intercession for the government officials, the youth, the people actively participating in the violence, the people suffering because of it and the ones who have lost their lives due to religious intolerance. The prayer service ended at 8 p.m. followed by fellowship.
Nicole Fernandes