ASIA: SRI LANKA: MONTH OF PRAYERS/VIGILS/LITURGIES TO HONOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

ASIA NEWS REPORT: In June, vigils, prayers, liturgies and meetings, to promote "unity in diversity". Card. Ranjith: "That the solemn feast of Pentecost may awaken in the participants a true devotion to the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to be faithful witnesses of the Word of God and his Church."

Colombo (AsiaNews) - In the midst of the chaos of war and economic crisis, "the Lord touches our lives." And once again, "confirms that true joy and peace are not found in favorable circumstances, but simply by standing before Him in worship and celebration" affirms Brother Lalith Perera of the community of the Risen Lord. His community is organizing one of the many inter-confessional events associated with Pentecost, which will be held throughout the month of June, in all languages Sinhala, Tamil and English, to mark the unity between Christians of different Churches.

On the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Trinity, on 19th June, the Catholic Church will hold a prayer vigil on the night of Saturday June, 18. The vigil will be held in St. Anne’s Maha Viddayalaya (School) in Colombo 13, to coincide with the Pentecost celebrations of the 30th year of Tamil Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Card. Malcolm Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo, has sent a message to the group: "That the solemn feast of Pentecost may awaken in the participants a true devotion to the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to be faithful witnesses of the Word of God and his Church." The archbishop will preside over the blessing along with Fr Emmanuel Fernando, Episcopal vicar for the Tamil apostolate.

June 25th instead the Holy Trinity community, an interfaith association composed of members of seven churches, will host the first meeting of the National Ecumenical Pentecost. Under the message "unity in diversity", Louis Benedict, of Holy Trinity, said: "We are all called to collaborate in this mission. Today the divisions are so deep and complex that it appears impossible to achieve unity. But the Bible tells us that nothing is impossible with God if we cooperate with Him in doing His will. " The meeting will be held in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, in Colombo.

Finally, commemorating Pentecost the community of the Risen Lord, will organize a day of rebirth, on 9 July, at the College St. Joseph Colombo. The community, of which Brother Lalith Perera is part, organizes every year the "Four steps retreat," during which "thousands of people have had encounters that have transformed their lives: the sick are healed, addictions have been defeated, marriages in crisis reconciled."

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