Stark verbunden mit unseren Verstorbenen!
Am Fest Allerseelen, dem 2. November, versammelte sich unsere deutschsprachige katholische Gemeinde in den Panchshil Towers, Pune zu einer feierlichen und sehr berührenden Eucharistiefeier. Viele Gläubige kamen zusammen – getragen von der Hoffnung des Glaubens und der bleibenden Liebe zu unseren Verstorbenen.
Auch wenn wir fern der Heimat leben und nicht die Möglichkeit haben, die Gräber unserer Angehörigen zu besuchen, waren sie uns in diesem Gottesdienst ganz nah. Als Zeichen unserer Verbundenheit entzündeten wir Kerzen für unsere lieben Verstorbenen. In großer Wertschätzung und im Gebet verlas der Zelebrant Pfarrer Dr. Arul Lourdu die Namen all jener, für die wir besonders beten wollten. Jeder Name blieb wie ein stilles Dankgebet im Raum – ein Erinnern voller Liebe und Hoffnung.
In kurzen persönlichen Gedanken teilten Gottesdienstteilnehmer, welchen Wert das Leben hat und wie sehr uns diejenigen geprägt haben, die uns vorausgegangen sind. In seiner Predigt betonte Pfarrer Arul Lourdu, dass unser Leben in Jesus Christus seine volle Erfüllung findet – und dass der Tod nicht das Ende bedeutet, sondern der Anfang des ewigen Lebens bei Gott.
Die musikalische Gestaltung durch die Band mit Tobias, Gabriel, Elias und Sophia schenkte dem Gottesdienst eine ganz besondere Tiefe. Wir sangen Lieder auf Deutsch und Englisch – ein Zeichen der Einheit in unserer Vielfalt und der weltumspannenden Gemeinschaft der Kirche.
Die Atmosphäre des Gottesdienstes war geprägt von Trost, Zusammenhalt und Gnade. Viele äußerten den Wunsch, bald wieder gemeinsam zu feiern – besonders an Weihnachten und zur Heiligen Messe im neuen Jahr.
So wurde dieser Allerseelengottesdienst zu einem starken Zeugnis unseres Glaubens: Auch wenn wir die Gräber nicht besuchen können, bleiben wir durch Gebet und Liebe untrennbar mit unseren Verstorbenen verbunden. In Christus bilden wir eine Familie – auf Erden und im Himmel.
Herzliche Einladung zum Fest Allerheiligen/Allerseelen 2025
Ein toller Gottesdienst am 25.05.2025
Pfingstgottesdienst in Pune am 24.05.2026
International Pentecost Eucharistic Celebration in Pune
“Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth”
An inspiring and grace-filled International Pentecost Eucharistic Celebration was held on Sunday, 24 May 2026, in Pune for the international Catholic community living in the city. The Holy Eucharist was organised by the German community in India and in Pune under the dedicated leadership of Mr. Tobias Gabriel, who, together with many committed families, helped create a deeply prayerful and welcoming celebration.
The beautiful musical animation of the liturgy was led by Tobias Gabriel and his family, together with Etienne, Thérèse, and their family. Through joyful Pentecost hymns and worship songs in English, the congregation was drawn into an atmosphere of prayer, thanksgiving, and unity. A special birthday song was also sung for the Mother Church on the feast of Pentecost, celebrating the birth of the Church through the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Mass was presided over by the German Chaplain in India, Rev. Dr. Arul Lourdu. Around fifty faithful participated in the Eucharistic celebration, representing many nations including Germany, France, South Korea, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Brazil, and several other countries. The diversity of cultures and languages beautifully reflected the message of Pentecost itself, where people from every nation heard the mighty works of God proclaimed in their own tongues.
Many children and families actively participated in the liturgy. Several ministers proclaimed the readings with devotion, while Kilian and Paulina served reverently at the altar as altar servers. The atmosphere throughout the celebration was joyful, peaceful, and spiritually uplifting.
The liturgy of Pentecost Sunday centred on the powerful readings from the Acts of the Apostles, the First Letter to the Corinthians, and the Gospel according to Saint John. The first reading from Acts 2:1–11 described the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles with tongues of fire and the miracle of many languages. The responsorial psalm proclaimed: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” Saint Paul reminded the faithful that although there are different gifts and forms of service, all are united in the one Spirit and one Body of Christ. In the Gospel, the risen Christ appeared to the disciples and breathed upon them, saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
The homily was conducted in a lively and interactive dialogue form, allowing the faithful to reflect together on the meaning and identity of the Church. The congregation pondered various names and images of the Church such as Kyriake, Ekklesia, the Bride of Jesus Christ, Institution, and Sacrament. The faithful renewed their commitment to build up the Church through the talents and graces received from the Holy Spirit.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, families who would soon be leaving Pune and India came forward to receive a special blessing after the solemn blessing of the congregation. It became a touching moment of gratitude, farewell, and prayerful sending forth.
After the Eucharistic celebration, several families gathered together with Rev. Dr. Arul Lourdu for a wonderful fellowship lunch. In a joyful and warm atmosphere, people from different nations shared food, conversations, laughter, and friendship. The gathering became a beautiful continuation of the Pentecost celebration, expressing the unity and communion created by the Holy Spirit. The families especially enjoyed the happiness and peace of being together as one international Christian community, rejoicing in the grace and joy of receiving the Holy Spirit.
The entire community deeply experienced the living presence of the Holy Spirit during the celebration. Many felt that the same Spirit who descended upon the Apostles more than two thousand years ago had once again filled the whole gathering with peace, unity, joy, and divine grace.
The International Pentecost Eucharist in Pune became a living witness that the Church is truly one family of God — many nations, many languages, but one faith, one Spirit, and one Lord.
All are already looking forward with great joy and expectation to the next International Holy Mass in Pune. The Pentecost celebration strengthened the bonds of friendship, faith, and communion among the faithful, and many expressed their desire to invite more families and friends to future gatherings. The community remains confident that even more people from different nations and cultures will join in the coming celebrations. United in faith and guided by the Holy Spirit, the faithful continue to grow together as one family in Christ. Truly, the Holy Spirit brings people together in joy, peace, love, and hope.