Nearly 700 Christians from across the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) gathered for “Pray for India, Pilgrims of Hope”, an ecumenical day of prayer, at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Gole Dak Khana, on October 2. The occasion coincided with the 156th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti in India. Hosted by the Delhi Commission for Ecumenism as part of the Jubilee Year 2025, the event highlighted the Catholic Church’s commitment to fostering peace, unity, and dialogue in a diverse society.
Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto of Delhi inaugurated the gathering with a prayer and address, recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of non-violence, social justice, and care for the marginalized. He urged participants to translate prayer into concrete acts of compassion, saying: “We keep alive the Father of the Nation’s dream by coming together to pray for India.” His words set the tone for a day of reflection, unity, and spiritual renewal.
Archbishop Kuriakose Bharanikulangara of the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Faridabad led prayers for unity, harmony, and reconciliation, while Auxiliary Bishop Deepak Valerian Tauro prayed for Christian institutions, schools, colleges, and hospitals, invoking God’s blessings so they may continue to serve as centers of learning, healing, and service. Leaders from Orthodox, Protestant, and Evangelical Churches reinforced the spirit of Christian fraternity, reflecting the day’s ecumenical essence.
A particularly moving moment was the chanting of the Nicene Creed in Syriac by Fr. Afilash of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, commemorating 1,700 years of this historic symbol of Christian unity. Prayer dances by students and the BEC Commission, hymns by choirs from Caleb Institute, the Salvation Army, Prateeksha Seminary, and the Burmese Christian community, as well as a short dance-drama by Chethanalaya, highlighted care for Mother Earth, demonstrating that prayer for peace must also embrace care for creation.
Fr. Dr. Norbert Herman, SVD, Convenor and Secretary of the Commission for Ecumenism, reminded participants: “Love is stronger than hatred, prayer stronger than fear.” He then led the assembly in the Peace Prayer of St. Francis. The day concluded with a benediction by Rev. Dr. Monodeep Daniel of the Church of North India, the singing of the National Anthem, and a fellowship meal, symbolizing unity beyond denominational lines.
The gathering was a luminous witness of faith in action, showing that prayer can transform hearts and communities. Participants left inspired to actively promote peace, justice, and ecological stewardship in their neighborhoods. By coming together as pilgrims of hope, Christians from every tradition demonstrated the Church’s enduring role as a bridge-builder and peacemaker, fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and solidarity. The day reaffirmed that collective prayer, grounded in love and service, has the power to unite a nation, heal divisions, and light the path toward a more compassionate and harmonious India.
(Sr. Rani Punnasseril, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross of Menzingen (HCM), is engaged in the Catholic Church’s ministry for migrants and the promotion of human dignity in India.)
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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