Greeting God in One Another
Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, with Fr. Bijesh Thomas, OSFS, and the father and sister of Fr. Vincent Kumar, OSFS.
I recently returned from a trip to India where I was blessed to be with the Oblate community that has been flourishing on the subcontinent for the last thirty years. While visiting the country, I was able to participate in the dedication of a new seminary, celebrate the perpetual profession of six young Oblates, pray with another six students preparing to enter the Oblate novitiate, and visit De Sales Academy, the successful Salesian school that carries on the great tradition of Oblate education.
The sights, sounds, scents, and flavors of South Asia left an indelible mark on my heart. Yet the experience that truly touched me was how the people of India, especially the Catholic community, welcomed me. Everyone I met, from the local bishop to the youngest seminarian, greeted me with great kindness, warmth, and joy. Like many cultures in Asia, welcoming guests is a significant tradition, often involving special greetings, flower garlands, and incense. These elements symbolize hospitality, generosity, and spiritual purity. These ceremonies and gestures create a welcoming atmosphere for everyone, especially the guest.
The Visitation
I was also presented with a shawl at the special events I attended as part of the official welcoming ceremony. The beautiful cloths were wrapped around my shoulders as a sign of respect, appreciation, and honor. They symbolize a prayer for protection and care. The shawls come in various styles, materials, and designs, reflecting the local culture. As a Christian, I see the shawl as a sacramental, pointing to the presence of God.
This weekend, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This event was a powerful and visible reminder of the presence of God in the life of Mary and her cousin, Elizabeth. Much like Asian culture, the people of the Middle East also gift their guests with special greetings, cloths, and garlands. I think of the image of Mary and Elizabeth being wrapped in their own cloths and embracing each other with the mantle of charity. In reality, these women were wrapped in the love of God, sharing the presence of Christ, and filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.
The story of the Visitation is a reminder that the Virgin Mary continues to cover us in her motherly love and guide us with her intercession. She encourages us to unite ourselves more fully to her Son and to recognize His presence in our sisters and brothers. As we welcome our family, friends, and neighbors each day, may we follow the tradition of the Middle East and Asia by clothing each other in heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12).”
Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
