by Cristiana Ferrauti
That same peace has actually been in the hearts of the Burmese people. “And then Easter came: God has not forgotten us,” Cardinal Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, told the community in Battersea about life in Myanmar.
His words came like an answer to all those doubts that haunt us when we struggle in the face of everyday obstacles. Life has never been easy in that part of the Asian continent, but hope has never died. Cardinal Bo never ceased in his mission in that Asian country torn apart by war and broken human rights.
Not by chance, he is serving as Head of the Office of Human Development in the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) and as Head of Inter-Religious Dialogue in Myanmar.
Cardinal Charles Bo celebrated both the 9:30 and the 11:30 Mass and so had the chance to meet all the Parishioners… from Myanmar, to London, but also Mexico, Argentina, Philippines, Italy – these and many others were the countries present in the Church, not only on Pentecost, but every day. This is one of the most beautiful characteristics of the community in Battersea: a multicultural body.
The atmosphere of celebration started the day before, as, thanks to the volunteers, the hall was fully decorated with an international flavour.
On Sunday, however, everyone brought a bit more of their country to the others, as the parishioners were invited to wear their traditional dress and to prepare a typical national dish to be shared after Mass.
During the liturgy, also, many languages formed a unique voice as from the pulpit came the Prayer of the Faithful in Spanish, Chinese, French, and more.
No one was left alone during this day of celebration of a whole unique family: the Church.
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