Cardinal commemorates 75th anniversary of Bandra’s consecration to Christ the King

(Feb.09,2010): In western India’s Maharashtra State, more than 5,000 priests, religious and faithful took part in Sunday’s ceremony at Mumbai’s St Andrew’s School in Bandra, commemorating the 75th anniversary of it’s consecration to Christ the King. After a day of adoration, the Holy sacrament was carried atop a flower-covered carriage in a procession along the decorated streets of Bandra , accompanied by the joyful singing of psalms. The ceremony was led by Card Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and president of the Latin-rite Catholic Bishops Conference of India, known as CCBI.
In a vibrant speech, Cardinal Gracias urged all the faithful not to be afraid of bearing witness to the Kingdom of Christ and of praying at home and in the family. The prelate said Christ desires to be the king of our lives, our hearts and our homes. When we accept Christ as our King, we accept his Gospel teaching and we accept an invitation to follow Christ completely. In his discourse, Cardinal Gracias focused on the family, saying it is an institution that must be protected from the many threats of modern society. He said “It is our responsibility to make Christ the king of our homes and of our families”.
“I invite you and challenge you,” said the Cardinal, “to renew your commitment and much more, find ways to renew the kingship of Christ and encourage his kingdom and make Jesus known, loved and followed. This is the call to each of us, as we recollect, renew and rediscover ways to live the kingship of Jesus,” concluded Cardinal Gracias.