Section of Chinese pilgrims at prayer in Bandel

BANDEL, (C.M. Paul) – The Chinese community of Kolkata made their annual pilgrimage to the historic Marian shrine of Bandel (estd 1599), Sunday 29 January 2012. The pilgrimage also marked the Chinese new year – the year of the dragon – (22 January 2012). More than 100 Chinese, entire families of pilgrims, particularly from Auxilium Parish Tangra (Kolkata) and its substation Dhapa Chinese chapel of Mary Immaculate, arrived in a bus and several cars.

Some of the families included grand parents who follow Buddhism, parents and children who belong to various Christian denominations.
After a two hour drive from Tengra, the pilgrims arrived in Bandel on the banks of the Hooghly River for the 11’o clock Eucharist.

After purchasing red and white votive candles (some of the white candles matched a person’s height), the pilgrims climbed 114 steps to the balcony to light the candles and pray at the feet of the miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary which dates back to 16^th century Portuguese period.

Section of Chinese pilgrims from Dhapa at Bandel

After the Eucharist, the pilgrims shared lunch in the sprawling Fatima garden adjacent to the shrine, before making their return trip to Kolkata.

Historical Background of Chinese in Kolkata
The first person of Chinese origin to arrive in Calcutta was Yang Tai Chow who arrived in 1778. He worked in a sugar mill with the eventual goal of saving enough monies to start a tea trade.

Many of the earliest immigrants worked on the Kidderpore docks. A police report in 1788 mentions a sizeable Chinese population settled in the vicinity of Bow Bazaar Street. Kolkata is the only city in Indiato have a Chinatown, the only other Chinatown to exist in Mumbai has practically disappeared.

During the time of  Warren Hastings, the first governor-general of British India (1773-1785), a businessman by the name of Tong Achi established a sugar mill, along with a sugar plantation at Achipur, 33 km from Calcutta, on the banks of the Hooghly River near Budge Budge.  A temple and the grave of Tong Achi still remain and are visited by many Chinese who come from the city during the Chinese New Year.

Pilgrims lighting votive candles at the feet of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the balcony at Bandel

The Chinese today work as tannery-owners, sauce manufacturers, shoeshop owners, beauticians, dry-cleaners and restaurateurs. Among services, teaching and dentistry are traditional occupation. Many of the shoe shops liningBentick Street, near Dharmatolla, are owned and operated by Chinese.

Most of the tanneries in Dhapa area of Tengra have been converted into fine eateries. Fusion of Chinese (especially Hakka) and Indian culinary traditions have given rise to a widely available form, Indian Chinese cuisine.

There is one Chinese newspaper published in the city, The Overseas Chinese Commerce in India but its sales have dwindled to less than 200 copies sold.

At one time, 90% of the students of the Grace Ling Liang English School Tengra and Sacred Heart Chinese School Western Street were ethnic Chinese. Today one may find an insignificant percentage of Chinese students in the above two schools. Three other Chinese schools namely Pie Mei School in Dhapa, Me Kong School inTemple Street, and Cheng Kuo School in Tiretti Bazzar were closed down over a decade ago.

Many of the younger Chinese of Calcutta are Christians while the older generation Buddhists. It is estimated that the Chinese population in Kolkata number less than 2,000.

Salesian Bishop Joseph Gomes prays over Banerjee

KRISHNAGAR, WB, (C.M. Paul) – It is rare that a Salesian with “Banerjee” title gets ordained priest. In fact, he is the first Salesian in Kolkata province with that title. Normally we have Bengali priests with surnames like Das, Mondol, Mullick, Sirkar and Gomes. The third and final priestly ordination for the 2011 batch of deacons for the province was held 28 January at Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Krishnagar, Nadia District, Paschimbango.

Salesian Bishop Joseph Suren Gomes ordained Chandan James Banerjee who hails from Nirmal Nagar under Krishnagar cathedral parish. There were 61 priests concelebrating at the solemn Eucharistic celebration during which the ordination ceremony took place. Fr Banerjee will celebrate his first holy Eucharist on Sunday 29 January, in the cathedral.

Kolkata Salesian provincial kisses anointed hands

Incidentally, some 50 years ago, Chandan’s uncle, another Banerjee was at the Salesian Seminary in Bandel and was well known for his proficiency in Latin and bombastic use of English language.

About a thousand people, mostly young people boys and girls from neighbouring boarding schools, as well as candidates and young religious, packed the cathedral to witness the event.

Besides the imposition of the hands by ordaining bishop and anointing of the hands of the to-be ordained by the bishop, and parents bringing the chasuble and vesting Chandan; there were three highly emotional moments during the service.

First moment was when all the concelebrating priests one by one placed their hands on Banerjee’s head and said a short prayer.

The second electrifying moment was when the priests one by one lined up to kiss Banerjee’s anointed hands and gave him a welcome embrace.

Parents felicitate Banerjee

The third charged moment was when his parent’s came forward and put a garland on him, hugged and kissed him… his mother’s tears of joy and sobbing brought tears on several faces in the congregation.

The cathedral choir under the baton of lay leader and social activist Augustine Haldar rendered full throated singing accompanied by three priests (Nirmal Gomes on the accordion, Dennis Murmu on keyboards, and Peter Mullick – vocals).

Don Bosco Youth Centre Krishnagar served lunch to all who came for the celebrations.

Eek Deewana Tha poster

MUMBAI, (Joseph Dias) –  Change Hosanna Petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/the-government-authorities-and-cbfc-get-the-word-hosanna-removed-from-the-song-2?share_id=DHNvCQMHRD

YouTube link to show how vulgar the song Hosanna has been made into: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SDb7FTuHIk
The CSF welcomes popular Indian author Chetan Bhagat who reportedly said at the Jaipur Literature Festival that he would not make Salman Rushdie a hero for “attacking God” and religious sentiments in India have to be respected.
“I’ll not make somebody who attacks my God a hero. This is India, you cannot hurt feelings here,” he said.
The same should hold good in case of Hosanna by AR Rahman and Javed Akhtar.
The CSF deplores double standards when it comes to Christians

If Salman Rushie could be prevented from coming to India because one of his books hurt Muslim religious sentiments, then why should the word ‘Hosanna’, offending Christians & Jews, not be deleted from the Eek Deewana Tha movie?
Is it because Christians and Jews cannot make as loud a noise or disturbance as others?
Why are the authorities slow in acting or responding, when it comes to micro-minorities? It is because we do not make our voice heard.

The above is just one of the reasons for Indian Christians to unite and at least say our sentiments are hurt or be threatened to live on the sidelines until we are extinct.
In J & K valley the few hundred odd Christian families there are threatened to be expelled, while a Sharia Court has proposed control over Christian schools and institutions – threatening their existence there. In other states, we battle not just the extra-constitutional authorities, but also in thousands of cases – the might of the Police State and the challenges that come from a communally coloured official establishment.

We have a number of more serious issues to attend to than “Hosanna” and nor have we the Vitamin M (Men, Money & Machinery) that MNCs like Fox Star, Sony Music & the others have for a long legal battle. But YOU can help us take on their might, if we can show that Christian sentiments are hurt, as we did in the case of many movies, the latest being “Who’s There” when persons concerned were put in custody for several days.

The CSF has made it easy for you, by putting up an online petition to The Prime Minister and request you to sign it. It will go directly to him and we will send it to the others concerned. Your petition to get the word “Hosanna” removed from the song is available at.
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-government-authorities-and-cbfc-get-the-word-hosanna-removed-from-the-song-2?share_id=DHNvCQMHRD
We do not have much time to left and so we would appeal to you to sign the petition and forward the above link to as many as possible to sign it too.
The CSF intercessors & prayer group members continue their prayers pray for those who assist us in this initiative.

DD1 RABBI Kannada television serial poster

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) — The first-ever Kannada teleserial with a Christian theme, entitled ‘RABBI’ will begin telecast on the National channel – DD1 and Chandana on weekends, beginning Saturday, 4th February 2012, 7.30 to 8 pm. Produced by Mytri Creations it can be viewed globally wherever the Doordarshan channel ‘footprint’ falls.

Producer-director Mr. Edward Shamprasad, says that the project has been appreciated by almost all Christian leaders in the country including the Archbishop of Bangalore.

“We find that his effort to communicate God’s purpose and promises to present day challenges faced by people, is commendable” says General Secretary of the Bible Society of India Rev. Mani Chacko.

“This is a rare attempt as there is a dearth of material with a Christian theme for Kannada audience. That is why this project has my complete support”, adds Chairman, Evangelical Fellowship of India Dr. Atul Aghamkar.

The dedication of the mega serial will be held at a function on 25th January 2012 at Paalana Bhavana, behind Archbishop’s House,Bangalorein the presence of eminent citizens and glitterati from the religious, political and cine world.

The teleserial portrays the challenges faced by three generations of a middle-class Indian Christian family and as to how their faith in Christ helps them to cope. The life of Jesus is also depicted in a story-within-story format in the course of the serial. Some snippets are available on YouTube.com, which can be accessed by typing ‘mytri creations’.

“Each episode costs about 50K and telecasting another 20K,” the producer tells soliciting  organizations to join as production partners.

“Please pray and support the ministry by buying advertising space, which will help to finance the project,” says Shamprasad, he who can be contacted on FacBook or at mytricreations@gmail.com or www.mytricreations.org

VC Provincial Fr Arackal reading the official decree of erection by the congregation and archdiocese.

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – The Vincentian religious order of Potta and Muringoor fame set up their first house of prayer in Kolkata, 22 January 2012. At a solemn Eucharist presided over by Coadjutor archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta along with some 20 priests, Vincentian Ashram Kolkata was blessed and inaugurated. Present at the occasion were General Councilor of the Vincentians Fr Mathew Pothalil, provincial of St Joseph’s Vincentian province Fr George Arackal (Sr), as well as Mother General of the Missionaries of Charity, provincials of Salesians of Don Bosco and Loreto Sisters, and some 150 laity and religious.

The Vincentian ashram was the generous gift of Mrs Mary Catherine Sinha wife of late Adhis Chandra Sinha who donated her two storey villa and half acre property for adoration and prayer. While Mrs Sinha occupies the top floor, the ground floor and a two storey outhouse is given to the Vincentians who prayed for many years to start their ministry of spiritual animation in Kolkata.

Coadjutor archbishop Thomas D'Souza offering shawl and bouquet to Mrs. Mary Catherine Sinha

Incidentally, Mrs Sinha who attended the Wednesday prayer meeting of the CCCRS (Calcutta Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services) at Sacred Heart Church Dharamthala under the direction of Salesian Fr. C.J. Sebastian is alleged to have had a vision to donate her property for Eucharistic adoration, prayer, intercession and counseling. The ashram situated near Minto Park locality on Sarat Bose Road falls under the territorial jurisdiction of St Thomas Parish Middleton Row.

The Vincentian Congregation (VC) is a clerical society of Syro-Malabar Church of Pontifical right with it’s generalate at Edapally in the archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly. It was founded on 20^th November 1904 as an ashram at Thottakam near Vaikom (Kerala) by Fr Varkey Kattarath. Their religious life is based on the common rules of St Vincent de Paul founder of the Congregation of the Missions.

The VCs were raised to Pontifical right on 11 February 1968 when they were entrusted with Satna mission in Madhya Pradesh. In 1990, the VCs were divided into three provinces. Currently the VCs have two bishops, 455 priests, 168 major seminarians and 191 minor seminarians working in 77 centres in India (Kerala, Tamilnadu, M.P., Maharashtra, Andhra, Paschimbango) and abroad (East Africa, Brazil, Europe and North America).

Memorial slab at Vincentian Ashram Kolkata

In October 2006, the VCs started their first foundation in Paschimbango at Jalarkhalli near Krishnagar. Their Bengali publication from Jalarkalli Retreat Centre today has over 6,000 subscribers running into some 60,000 (sixty thousand) readers. The VCs have a third centre in Paschimbango at Chopra in Raiganj diocese.

The VC charism includes evangelization, helping clergy in pastoral activities, retreats, intercession, adoration and counseling. The Kolkata ashram under the leadership of Fr Cherian will hold daily public Eucharistic adoration from 8 am to 8 pm with the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet from 3 pm to 4 pm. The Kolkata ashram comes under St Joseph’s Province Kottayam.

The CSF response is, “intentional or not, the use of “Hosanna” in the movie “Ekk Deewana Tha” is sacrilegious and has resulted in hurting the religious sentiments of the Christians and Jews around the world. We would therefore demand that if those concerned are genuine about their intentions, then an apology be issued immediately and the word Hosanna be deleted from the song, failing which The CSF would seek legal redressal to act against them” said the CSF General Secretary Mr. Joseph Dias.

The CSF after legal counsel is of the opinion that the letter from those concerned, that rather than rectifying the situation, they have resorted to justifying use of “Hosanna” with no regret or remorse and will decide on their future course of action soon, along with other community groups.

The CSF General Secretary further pointed out that Hosanna is not a “greeting or blessing”, but a prayer, which is sacred and uttered reverentially in Christian and Jewish liturgies, refering to God or Jesus Christ. It is akin to chalisas and mantras (Hinduism), azaan (Islam) or the scriptural chants, verses and worship prayers of any other faith.

“I find it difficult to pray, ever since I heard Hosanna in the song and it disturbs me. No other religion will tolerate such abuse and hence, have been spared. There would have been riots the world over. Are we being singled out because we don’t make enough noise?” Joseph Dias added.

Meanwhile, the CSF has in a notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) called upon the authority to enforce the law, terming the mention as violation of at least Section 5B of The Cinematograph Act, 1952, which specifies the principles for guidance in certifying films. The CSF points out that these are -
(1) A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of (2) the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.

The CSF also calls upon the CBFC to deny a certificate on the above ground and if a certificate has been issued, then to withdraw the same. It has urged the Union Information and Broadcasting ministry to issue additional directions to the CBFC, on issues of religious nature to also seek the opinion of the heads of the faiths concerned before sanctioning films for public exhibition. This is provided for under sub-section (2) of the said Section (5B) of The Cinematograph Act, 1952

AR Rahman in a reported media interview said that he had spent “several months doing research before composing the song and consulted friends who are Christian about the usage” to which the CSF replies – “all Rahman had to do was Google or ask the clergy or religious heads, who are the appropriate authorities.
Another justification sought to be made out is that the Hosanna mention was earlier made in the Tamil version of the film, to which there was no outcry. The CSF points out that a mention in the vernacular, with limited reach, could have possibly be missed, but not in the national language, Hindi and English, which is being commercially exploited. The vast expanse of Bollywood ensures all those involved make a fast buck at the cost the religion of others.

The CSF general Secretary concluded that the Hosanna usage in the context of a story that has the boy, falling in love with a girl – who belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family, where watching movies, partying or falling in love are completely taboo  – is mocking and ridiculing the faith of the person. It is insulting to make a song and dance of the scripture of any religion and in very bad taste. It is not absolutely essential to the film and those responsible can certainly do without it.

Part of the Holy Mass
According to The CSF, Hosanna is not a common parlance religious terminology and is part of The Sanctus (Latin: Holy), a hymn from Christian liturgy, forming part of the Order of Mass. The Sanctus is sung or said as the final words of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer, the prayer of consecration of the bread and wine. The Roman Missal, which is used daily by Catholics has The Sanctus as:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The “Hosanna Anthem”, based on the phrase Hosanna, is a traditional Moravian anthem written by Bishop Christian Gregor sung on Palm Sunday and the first Sunday of Advent. It is antiphonal, i.e. a call-and-response song for worshipers and religious followers in the rituals.

Festival Prayer in Judaism
Among the Jews, Hosanna means “please save or save now”. In Jewish liturgy, the word is applied specifically to the Hoshana Service, a cycle of prayers from which a selection is sung each morning during Sukkot, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. The complete cycle is sung on the seventh day of the festival, which is called Hoshana Rabbah, “Great Hosanna”. This festival was associated with a ceremonial drawing of water which, it was believed, secured fertilizing rains in the following year; the penalty for abstinence was drought.
From: The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF)
+91 9769 55 56 57 csfpost@gmail.com

R to L : Bp Cyprian Monis, Abp Thomas D'Souza, Salesian Provincial Thomas and Fr Orson Wells.

KOLKATA, (C.M. Paul) – Calcutta’s leading charismatic group inaugurated a four day Bible Convention on the annual holiday. The event organized by Calcutta Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services (CCCRS) started off with a solemn concelebrated Eucharist presided over by Coadjutor archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta along with founding member Bishop Cyprian Monis of neighbouring Asansol diocese. Some 20 priests and a thousand faithful participated at the inaugural function which started off at 9 am, Friday, 20 January at St Paul’s  school Grounds, Kidderpore adjacent to Daughter’s of the Cross (FC) provincial house.

The registration at the convention is free and participants are served free mid-day snacks and refreshments.

Over the weekend, the organizers expect over 3,000 faithful to attend. The programme is scheduled to be concluded on 23 January, Bengal’s illustrious freedom fighter Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s birthday.

Welcoming the participants, the CCCRS founder & spiritual director Salesian Fr C.J. Sebastian recalled 15 years of CCCRS activities for spiritual renewal in Calcutta archdiocese.

The CCCRS choir at the Bible Convention 2012

The convention started with the CCCRS choir leading the congregation in prayer and praise. It was followed by the solemn enthronement of the Holy Bible brought to the podium by CCCRS Chairman Mr Raymond Baptist.

This year’s convention is termed as “4-day family retreat to hear the mighty proclamation of the Word and the Life-Changing Gospel.”

Besides being popular evangelization and catechesis, the event is intended to be a celebration of  “God’s love, healing and abundant graces,” said powerful preacher of the Word Fr M. John MSFS from Divine Redeemer Retreat Center at Umroi near Shillong. He is ably assisted by his equally gifted confrere Fr M.K. Regi.

The CCCRS today has charismatic service open for all every Wednesday, including healing service and adoration at Sacred Heart Church Dharmotalla (Lenin Sarani). On Fridays the group leads evening prayer service at Christ the King Church Park Circus. Every Saturday, Eucharistic adoration service is held at Sacred Heart Church Dharamotalla, and every Monday the CCCRS members gather for Intercession at Don Bosco Nitika. The group also publishes a bi-monthly spiritual renewal publication called STREAMS.

Meet & Greet the Media 2012

KOLKATA (C.M. Paul) – Salesian archbishop Lucas Sirkar and archbishop coadjutor Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta held a ‘meet and greet’ of media personnel, 17th January 2012, on the lawns of Archbishop’s House, 32 Mother Teresa Sarani (Park Street).  It was the first time such a programme was organized during the 125th year celebration of the founding of archdiocese of Calcutta (1886).

Speaking to The Herald, Archbishop of Calcutta Lucas Sirkar said “Service to humanity is service to God. We have a mission of service in Education, Health Care and Social Development. We are going to organize a series of events this year to mark the completion of 125 years of the Archdiocese of Calcutta”.

Co-adjutor Archbishop Thomas D’Souza ofCalcuttaadded, “We have already opened a 70-bed Hospital at Midnapore, to serve the sick, especially the poor, including Leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS patients in that area. We aspire to reach out to the poor and marginalized children, youth and women in the areas of education, health care and empowerment to the maximum extent possible.”

Director, Social Communication, Archdiocese of Calcutta Fr. Sunil Rozario said, “We are hopeful. We want everybody’s participation, involvement in this holy mission of service to society.”

Fr. Dominic Gomes, Archdiocesan Spokesperson said, “We sincerely believe there is no higher religion than human service, and to work for the common good is our greatest creed.”

The event also had a short power point presentation on the archdiocese as well as the launch of the newly designed website of the Archdiocese of Calcuttahttp://www.archdioceseofcalcutta.in

Besides listing information on the Archdiocese, the Archbishop, Diocesan officials and various Commissions, the website has detailed information on schools, social, health and youth services.

“We have designed the site with a simple and friendly look which allows uncomplicated access to the information to visitors. It also facilitates diocesan officials to make relevant updates easily, without any technical knowledge,” claim the website’s developers.

In the course of the evening, the prelates met, greeted and interacted with some 20 media personnel, both from the print and electronic media. They also had chance to meet and chat with the diocesan commission heads.

Christianity in India, though started in 52AD by St Thomas the Apostle of Jesus Christ, has today approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.4% of India’s population. Christianity in West Bengal is a minority consisting of about 0.6% of the population.

In West Bengal, the Archdiocese of Calcutta is the Metropolitan archdiocese with seven dioceses (Asansol, Baruipur, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Krishnagar and Raiganj) linked to it.

The Calcutta archdiocese has 37 parishes and 17 quasi parishes served by 224 priests belonging to the diocesan clergy and 10 religious orders, along with 125 brothers and some 950 religious Sisters.

The first Christian settlements in Bengal appeared at the end of the sixteenth century and Bandel Church, perhaps the first church in eastern India, was built in 1599. AtCalcutta, the first Catholic Chapel was established in 1700. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary on Brabourne Road was started in 1797.

The Vicariate Apostolic of Bengal, with Calcutta as its headquarters was established in 1834 by the Society of Jesus. The Herald, first Catholic weekly of India, an archdiocesan publication  started in 1839. There is also a Bengali language monthly edition of The Herald.

In the course of the evening, the prelates will meet and greet and interact with the media personnel who will also have chance to meet and chat with the diocesan commission heads. A short power point presentation on the archdiocese as well as the launch of  the newly designed website of the Archdiocese of Calcutta is also planned.

Besides listing information on the Archdiocese, the Archbishop, Diocesan officials and various Commissions, the website has detailed information on schools, social, health and youth services.

“We have designed the site with a simple and friendly look which allows uncomplicated access to the information to visitors. It also facilitates diocesan officials to make relevant updates easily, without any technical knowledge,” claim the website’s developers.

Christianity in India has approximately 24 million followers, constituting 2.4% of India’s population. Christianity in West Bengal is a minority consisting of about 0.6% of the population.

In West Bengal the Archdiocese of Calcutta is the Metropolitan archdiocese with seven dioceses (Asansol, Baruipur, Bagdogra, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Krishnagar and Raiganj) linked to it.

The Calcutta archdiocese has 37 parishes and 17 quasi parishes served by 224 priests belonging to the diocesan clergy and 10 religious orders, along with 125 brothers and some 950 religious sisters.

The first Christian settlements in Bengal appeared at the end of the sixteenth century and Bandel Church, perhaps the first church in eastern India, was built in 1599. At Calcutta, the first Catholic Chapel was established in 1700. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary on Brabourne Road was started in 1797.

The Vicariate Apostolic of Bengal, with Calcutta as its headquarters was established in 1834 by the Society of Jesus.

Poster of the film with HOSANNA song

MUMBAI, (CSF news) — The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF), takes strong exception to an A R Rahman’s song “Hosanna” in the Hindi movie, “Ekk Deewana Tha” to be released on 17 February, 2012. It has taken up the issue with the authorities concerned to have the song withdrawn. The CSF will launch a public agitation if the same is not heeded. In a complaint to the music director, besides others concerned like Fox Star Studio, Sony Music and all those responsible for the same the CSF demands an apology for the same and urged the authorities to act, as it has hurt not only Christian, but also Jewish religious sentiments, Hosanna being a prayer for both communities.

According to Joseph Dias, The CSF general secretary, “We are not going into the lyrics or vulgar picturisation of the song, which is also objectionable. But, would like to point out that internationally Hosanna is a prayer in the Bible and used by both Jews and Christians, referring to God or Jesus Christ, with strong reverential and religious connotations. The CSF points out that in both these religions, Hosanna is used as follows:

Judaism
“Hoshana” is a Hebrew word meaning please save or save now. In Jewish liturgy, the word is applied specifically to the Hoshana Service, a cycle of prayers from which a selection is sung each morning during Sukkot, the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles. The complete cycle is sung on the seventh day of the festival, which is called Hoshana Rabbah ”Great Hosanna”.

Christianity
“Hosanna” in Greek is the cry of praise or adoration of God, shouted in recognition of the Messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem – Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! It is used in the same way in Christian praise. Overall, it seems that “Hosanna” is a cry for salvation – God who saves; while at the same time is a declaration of praise of God and is used with great reverence to Him.

The CSF general Secretary adds “Hence, to use it in a movie where the boy, falls in love with a girl – who belongs to an orthodox Malayali Christian family where watching movies, partying or falling in love are completely taboo  – is mocking and ridiculing the faith of the person. This has hurt religious sentiments and insulted Christian and Jewish beliefs “.

Joseph Dias further questions angrily – “If you would not use Islamic, Hindu or prayers from any other religion in pop secular music, then why do you use Hosanna in a carnal love song of a movie. It trivialises a word that is sacred and uttered with respect by followers of both Christian and Jewish faiths and hence needs to be stopped immediately.

It may be recalled that The CSF and other community groups had only last month complained against those responsible for the movie poster “Who’s There – Kaun Hai Waha” and the director, producer and others concerned had to spend days in custody in Mumbai following police action.

Gautham Menon, the noted south Indian film director is responsible for the film “Ekk Deewana Tha”, which is produced by Reshma Ghatala, Venkat Somasundaram and Javed Akhtar being the lyricist.

Those involved with the Hosanna song, as part of the movie are lead actors – Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson; singers – Leon D’Souza, Suzanne D’Mello and Blaaze, with additional vocals by Vivek Agarwal, Dr. Narayan, V. V. Prasanna, Haricharan Sesh… Photon Kathaas Production and R.S. Infotainment, besides others are also involved and will be legally acted against.
Pls click the link to view a portion of the HOSANNA song clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SDb7FTuHIk&feature=related
Joseph Dias, MA (Eco) +919769 55 56 57 csfpost@gmail.com www.thecsf.org
General Secretary, The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF)