Christianity within the Indian subcontinent reveals a tradition that goes back to nearly two thousand years — about the same time it blossomed in the now Middle-East and even before it took cultural roots in Europe. Over the years, it has been shaped by historical contingencies that now reveal diverse traditions of Christian practice.
This workshop will briefly trace the evolution of Catholicism in India in the context of its multiple cultures and traditions, as well as the current debates that inform it.
What does Catholicism in India look like?
The Margamkal is a traditional dance popularised by the Knanaya community among the Syrian Christians — aka Thomas Christians or Nasrani — in Kerala. The dance is typically enacted by twelve performers representing the twelve apostles of Jesus around a lamp that symbolises Christ. The song and dance sequences of the Margamkali commemorate the missionary works of the apostle Saint Thomas who visited the Malabar region in the first century AD. 
The three-day festivities of the Moonnu Noimbu feast at St. Mary’s Church, Kuravilangad, Kerala centre around the biblical story of Jonah. The second day of the feast includes a procession with the Kappalottam — a replica of the ship that enacts the story of Jonah. An elephant procession accompanied by musicians and decorated crosses add solemnity to this occasion. The St. Mary’s Church at Kuravilangad is believed to date back to 105 AD. 
Catholic devotees venerate the statue of Milagres Saibinn (Our Lady of Miracles) by pouring oil over it on its feast day at St. Jerome’s Church, Mapusa, Goa. Milagres Saibinn is also popular with the Hindu community who, according to Goan folklore, believe her to be one of the seven sisters who adopted Christianity. 
Mangalorean Catholics celebrate Monti Fest by showering flowers on a statuette of an infant Mary in commemoration of her nativity on 8 September. The feast also celebrates the new harvest with the blessing of paddy sheaves and other agricultural produce. 
Reflection
- What are the popular perceptions of Christianity in India? What do people of other faith traditions think of Christianity?
- What are some of the traditions, customs or rituals of your own Catholic faith? How do they differ from other traditions within Indian Christianity? What do they reveal about your own society?
You can post me your responses in the form below.
Reading
- Dilip Mandal, “Don’t Listen to VHP and Panic. Christianity Is a Failed Project in India,” ThePrint, September 9, 2020, https://theprint.in/opinion/vhp-rss-panic-christianity-religious-conversion-failed-project-india/498698/.
DOWNLOAD - Jesudas M. Athyal, “Christianity Hasn’t Failed in India. Conversion Isn’t Its Only Goal,” ThePrint, September 12, 2020, https://theprint.in/opinion/christianity-hasnt-failed-in-india-conversion-not-goal/501136/.
DOWNLOAD
Discussion
Jesudas Athyal’s article is a rebuttal of Dilip Mandal opinion: “Christianity Is a Failed Project in India.” However, both are trying to offer a critique of Christianity. How would you respond to them? (Please go through Dilip Mandal’s text before reading Jesudas Athyal’s response.)
During the workshop, you will have an opportunity to share your opinion in the group discussion. You can also post me your opinions in the form below.
Response
Reference
- Congar, Yves. The Meaning of Tradition. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 2004.
- Fernando, Leonard, and G. Gispert-Sauch. Christianity in India: Two Thousand Years of Faith. New Delhi: Penguin, 2004.
- Frykenberg, Robert Eric. Christianity in India: From Beginnings to the Present. Oxford History of the Christian Church. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.
- O’Collins, Gerald, and Mario Farrugia. Catholicism: The Story of Catholic Christianity. Second Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
This workshop was conducted for the National Youth Conference of the ICYM (Indian Catholic Youth Movement) on 11-13 December 2020.
Rinald D’Souza SJ
