Dr Cherian ANIYANKUNJU, Public Relation Officer of the Archdiocese of Changanacherry
of the Syro-Malabar, spoke of the family as a unit for the proclamation of the word
of God. He said that the Council teaches that parents are the prime teachers of faith
to their children. It is they who are to introduce the Word of God to their children.
The first and foremost thing is to develop a sense of reverence towards the Word of
God. This is to be taught at the stage of infancy which only the parents can do. From
his personal experience as the head of a family, he felt that the Liturgy of Hours
is an effective way to familiarize with the Scriptures and an easy means to pray using
the Word of God. He added that special theological, liturgical and biblical training
given to the laity is very important. Abbot Michel Jorrot, Abbot of the Benedictine
Abbey of Clervaux, said that Listening to the word of God is necessary and the listener
allows himself to be modelled internally by the thoughts of God. He added that the
word Amen involves, Abba, Memorial, explanation and nourishment. Lectio Divina is
not for monks alone but for the universal church. Sr. Janice Soluk, Superior General
of the Handmaids of the Blessed Virgin Mary the Immaculate, spoke of their struggle
in Ukraine under the communist regime and till the council did not have a bible in
vernacular. She told of the devotion and reverence that the people had for the word
of God and how they read it kneeling down with candles lit and with the altar decorated.
Sr. Apollinaris Shimura Yuriko of Japan said that the first task of religious persons
who live and work in Japan is to make the Proclamation of the Word of God. This is
done through the witness of life, different works of charity, among which teaching
is particularly useful.