Every year 24th June is a massive festival in my state! The feast of Sao Joao!!!
From decorative boats, to festive kopels on the head (floral headgears) in accrodance to the all natural ear of St John in the wild …to dance and music in thansgiving for the newly weds and new borns in the past year . My entire state- catholics after mass ,celebrate by jumping into rivers or wells to celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist – a tradition specific to my state — the jump in water ( I assume ) signifies the dip in water for baptism used by St John !
While the crowds gather in large numbers and travel in boats from one village to another to reach the church and celebrate and share meals – it begins with prayers for thankfulness for the monsoons or rainy season as the crops are grown and enable a good harvest and hence food all year round!
Of course! everyone has used this as an excuse for tourists and media to promote the state for non believers who dont understand the significance ! But the most important aspect I always admire is how every catholic comes together faithfully to celebrate it with their brethren!
Almost all festivities in my state are always celebrated by the vaddo the community or block or group of people living in a small subset of villages, we have tint chapels along each… I have one dedicated to Our Lady of Vailankani a mere 10 metres away from my home, these festivities bring together an entire community and bring them in faith- young and old! Its very fascinating to watch children pray and sing the Litany of Our Lady with so much gusto and enthusiasm!
Baptism is the birthday of our faith and we need to celebrate it with the same fervor – with community will be better after 2 years and experience the joy of joining a community and church of people believing in a higher power and eternal life! The best part of me posting here is I can connect to people with similar faith and issues as me on a weekly basis , where I feel let down and struggle in my faith- I get uplifted by the comments of everyone empathizing with what I go through! It makes me feel less guilty for being unable to fight the evil!
Today when you read this, check your baptism date and decide to celebrate it every year with renewal of the faith instilled in you! Its the least we can do to make St John the Baptist proud of his job!
PRAYER:
Dearest Lord,
I thank and believe in your everlasting power and will forever strive and work to be a better catholic and human in my daily life. Guide me to be a good example of a baptised catholic to others and spread your light throughout my small community!
AMEN
