From February 8 to 22, as the Councillor in-charge of India, I visited that country equal to the size of a continent, the country which was the country of mission of our founder. I was very impressed by the vitality of the Christian faith in the southern part of India, a Christianity, which in spite of its scattering in the hindu ocean, is distinguished by its faith, its liturgy, its beautiful churches and its charitable and educational works.

In addition to that, the individual or community meetings with confreres and students have enriched me. I was spiritually nourished by making part of the way that Bresillac did :

⁃ discovery of some parishes and places where Brésillac worked as a missionary priest in Pondicherry;
⁃ Visit to Coimbatore, where Brésillac was the first bishop. The Indian confreres living in the SMA house (Karumathampatty) at the entrance of the city of Coimbatore, work on the mission animation and promote the spirit of our founder.

The Christianity in India dates back to the apostolic era. What a joy for me to visit some places where the apostle saint Thomas preached the Good news and also to celebrate the Eucharist on the altar set up on his tomb.

May the spirit of Brésillac and his missionary intuition (SMA) continue to inspire more young people in India and elsewhere for the smooth running of the mission and the glory of God.

Fr. François de Paul HOUNGUE, SMA