Mechernich/Kerala – The Superior General of the Ordo Communionis in Christo, based in Mechernich, Father Jaison Thazhathil, has now undertaken a visitation trip to India. It took him to members and friends of the community founded by Mother Marie Therese in Mechernich on 8 December 1984, to church dignitaries and to the Samaritan Sisters who work in the care facilities of the social welfare organisation Communio in Christo in the Eifel region.
"The trip was marked by pastoral exchange and spiritual deepening," said the Superior General after his return: “A highlight was the ceremonial presentation of the new Communio habit, which had been designed especially for the Indian sisters.”
A sign of lived charity
At a solemn meeting, Father Jaison personally presented the sisters with the new clothing, which is intended to express the spirituality of Communio in Christo outwardly. Inspired by the founder, Mother Marie Therese, it combines simple, culturally appropriate elements with the sign of the silver order cross, a ring and a simple chain.
"This clothing not only has an external form, but above all an inner message," explained the Superior General. "It reminds us that our true garment is love – the love that Mother Marie Therese understood as the heart of Christian life."
During her lifetime, the founder had deliberately chosen not to wear a veil, saying, "The veil of my sisters is charity." According to Father Jaison Thazhathil, this attitude continues to shape the spiritual profile of Communio in Christo to this day, both in Europe and in Asia.
"Caritas est vivere in Deo"
The visitation was held under the motto of the Order: "Caritas est vivere in Deo – Love of neighbour is life in God." In this spirit, the Superior General met not only with members of the Communio, but also with the Archbishop of Trivandrum, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, as well as with friends who are clergy and church workers. Discussions about spirituality, pastoral cooperation and the challenges of Christian life in today's society dominated the meetings.
In India, the worldwide Communio shows itself in impressive diversity. The members live their faith in families, communities and social services – in fidelity to the sacraments, in daily prayer and in service to their neighbours. "It is moving to see how Mother Marie Therese's message is put into living practice here," said Father Jaison on his return to Mechernich.
The new habit presented by Father Jaison is an expression of an interdenominational understanding of vocation and service, according to Father Rudolf Ammann ISch, spiritual director of the Mechernich community of the Ordo Communionis in Christo. It should not lead to social segregation, but on the contrary invite people to make the spirit of love visible.
In future, the Indian sisters will wear simple, light-coloured clothing that is adapted to cultural circumstances but whose symbolism – cross, ring, chain – shows their affiliation to the Ordo Communio in Christo. "The outward simplicity refers to the essential: the love of Christ, which should take shape in every human being," said the Superior General.
Connected worldwide with Mechernich
Despite the geographical distance, the connection to the mother house in Mechernich remains central. It was there that the Communio in Christo was founded by Mother Marie Therese, and it continues to live out the vision she summarised in the words: "The Church of tomorrow begins in the lived faith of today." The General Superior's journey made this worldwide connection visible.
Whether in the Eifel or in India – wherever people live in the spirit of Communio, the Church can be experienced in the sense of the Second Vatican Council: as a community that realises unity through love, according to the Superior: "Communio in Christo is not a concept, but a lived reality!"
pp/Agentur ProfiPress
