Prayagraj: In a heartfelt display of unity and shared human values, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allahabad organized an Inter-Faith Prayer Meeting today at St. Joseph’s College, Prayagraj, to commemorate the death anniversary of St. Mother Teresa. The event, themed “Compassion in Action: One Humanity, Many Paths of Faith,” brought together religious leaders and devotees from various faiths to celebrate the life and legacy of the beloved “Saint of the Gutters.”
The program began with a welcome address by the hosts from St. Joseph’s Regional Seminary, who set a reflective tone through a PowerPoint presentation highlighting Mother Teresa’s life and her enduring message of service. This was followed by a soulful prayer dance performed by students of Bethany Convent School, Naini.
A solemn floral tribute was offered at the statue of St. Mother Teresa. Among the dignitaries who paid their respects were the Chief Guest, Rt. Rev. Bishop Louis Mascarenhas (Bishop of the Diocese of Allahabad); former High Court Justice Amar Saran; former Commissioner Badal Chatterjee; Fr. Walter D’Silva, Principal of St. Joseph’s College, Prayagraj; Fr. Vipin D’Souza, Director of Nazareth Hospital, Prayagraj; Fr. Valerian D’Souza, Director of the Commission for Ecumenism & Dialogue; Sr. Lizy, Superior of the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, Muirabad; along with representatives from other faith communities.
The central segment of the event featured insightful addresses by leaders from different religions, each offering a perspective rooted in their tradition yet resonating with Mother Teresa’s mission:
Hindu Perspective: Acharya Ved Prakash Pandey spoke on “Care for the Poorest of the Poor,” emphasizing the Hindu tradition of selfless service (seva).
Islamic Perspective: Maulana Syed Munawwar Hussain Rizvi delivered a powerful message on “Love, Peace and Forgiveness,” highlighting the Islamic values of compassion and mercy.
Sikh Perspective: Sri Harvinder Singh presented the Guru Vaani perspective on “Care for the Sick & Suffering,” explaining the Sikh principle of serving humanity as an act of worship.
Buddhist Perspective: Bhante Nitesh Vardhan, a scholar of Theravada Buddhism, discussed “Mercy and Compassion for the Suffering,” draws from Buddhist philosophy to emphasize empathy for all living beings.
Christian Perspective: Rev. Fr. Leo Sequeira concluded the speeches with “Faith in Action and Selfless Service,” encapsulating the Christian ethos that inspired Mother Teresa’s lifelong mission. The program was enriched with cultural performances, including a captivating dance drama by students of St. Antony’s Convent Inter College, Prayagraj, and a moving group song by visually impaired students from Divya Jyothi Niketan, Muirabad, which left the audience deeply moved.
A special felicitation ceremony was held to honor the guest speakers and the Missionaries of Charity Sisters, who continue to carry forward Mother Teresa’s work. Rt. Rev. Bishop Louis Mascarenhas then blessed the gathering, urging everyone to follow the path of love and service exemplified by St. Mother Teresa. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Rev. Fr. Ratnesh Kumar Masih, who expressed gratitude to all participants for making the program a resounding success. The organizers expressed their hope that such inter-faith dialogues will continue to foster brotherhood, harmony, and peace in society.
