Earlier this year, I was blessed to visit with the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara churches in southern India. It was, for me, a Pentecostal experience. Let me explain.

The energy and enthusiasm of these churches takes one back to the celebration of the first Pentecost. The mandate of our Lord to preach and teach the Good News is alive and active with our brothers and sisters in southern India.

The photo above captures a little of the joyful feeling expressed by a group of Vincentian Fathers of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, who joined about 10,000 faithful of every age in the culmination of a week-long “Popular Mission.” Imagine this huge crowd of souls who have processed from near and far, gathered in the open air — singing, dancing, shouting their praises to give honor and glory to God and to give witness of their faith to each other. Turn up the decibels, look out at the army of faithful and celebrate that this is what Pentecost is all about.

The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, one of the largest Eastern Catholic churches in the world, gives us a wonderful example of the missionary spirit of the first Apostles — especially St. Thomas, their cherished founder. I was privileged to walk in his footsteps during my visit there.

Their missionary spirit and their ongoing celebration of Pentecost is shared literally all over the world in the ministries of Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara bishops, priests, sisters and lay faithful. God has blessed them with many priestly and religious vocations and they generously share these fruits on every continent.

CNEWA is proud of our partnership with these churches and grateful to all of you for your generous support. Say a special prayer of thanks to St. Thomas. God bless you.