The Archdiocese of Bombay marked the Advent season with its annual interfaith dialogue and celebration on Dec. 14.
The event, held at the Holy Name High School auditorium, brought together representatives from various faith traditions and members of the diplomatic corps to share messages of unity, dialogue, and hope.
Presided over by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the gathering aimed to reflect the spirit of Christmas as a time of peace and harmony.
Celebrating faith and family
The evening opened with the unveiling of the Baby Jesus in a crib, a moment of deep spiritual significance symbolizing the essence of Advent.
The Holy Name Cathedral Choir followed with a medley of Christmas carols, inspiring joy and togetherness among the attendees.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, students from St. John the Evangelist School, Marol, performed a presentation themed “Welcoming God in Our Families,” highlighting the transformative power of faith in contemporary family life.
“Welcoming God into our lives dispels darkness and allows His light to radiate hope and love through every family,” the students conveyed through their performance.
The emphasis on family as the foundation of society resonated strongly, drawing connections between faith, resilience, and mutual support.
Interfaith dialogue highlights family values
The central feature of the evening was a panel discussion on the theme “Christmas: Welcoming God in the Family,” moderated by Royston Braganza, CEO of Grameen Capital.
Panelists from diverse faith traditions reflected on the role of family in nurturing spiritual values and fostering unity:
- Swami Dayadhipananda (Hinduism) emphasized inner peace and spiritual harmony within families, stating that cultivating divine qualities within oneself can transform families into reflections of a universal human family.
- Dr. Surinder Kaur (Sikhism) explored familial values rooted in Guru Nanak’s teachings, emphasizing that trials and struggles help families discover their divine nature.
- Ms. Binaifer Sahukar (Zoroastrianism) highlighted empathy and mental well-being as essential for strong family dynamics, urging families to focus on hope and positivity.
- Suhail C.G. (Islam – Ahmadiyya) underscored the interconnectedness of faith, morality, and family life, calling for love, peace, and integrity to permeate relationships.
- Salim Khan (Islamic scholar and environmentalist) reflected on nurturing moral values and God-consciousness, advocating for a balance between love and discipline in family life.
- Deacon Navin D’Silva (Christianity) elaborated on the sacramentality of marriage, stressing that families centered on faith are beacons of love and understanding.
- Swami Devendra Brahmachari (Jainism) urged families to prioritize compassion and nonviolence, embracing a divine perspective that fosters peace.
The panel also addressed modern challenges to family life, including materialism, social media misinformation, and lack of quality time.
Solutions grounded in spirituality and moral discipline were proposed to strengthen familial bonds.
Cardinal’s message of hope
In his Christmas message, Cardinal Oswald Gracias reflected on Isaiah’s prophecy: “For unto us a Child is born.”
He emphasized the humility and simplicity of the Incarnation and called on families to mirror Christ’s light and hope in their daily lives.
Quoting former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Cardinal said, “Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is harmony in the house; when there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation; when there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.”
