We, 13 Province Coordinators, had the meeting of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network (PWPN) at Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune. The meeting was animated by the International Director for PWPN and the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM), Fr. Frederic Fornos, SJ, who had come from Rome. We also had with us the National Director of PWPN and EYM, Fr. Jagdish Parmar, SJ.

Among the eminent persons who graced the inaugural session were Fr. Edward Mudavassery, SJ (Rector of De Nobili College, Pune), Fr. Jose Thayil, SJ (Rector of the Papal Seminary, Pune) and Fr. Frederic Fornos, SJ (International Director PWPN and EYM). Fr. Edward highlighted how PWPN could take into account the local challenges. Fr. Jose emphasized how the Pope Francis effect had a top-down and down-up importance and relevance for the faithful. Fr. Frederic welcomed the suggestions given by the two and also stressed the need for the re-creation of PWPN. Fr. Jagdish Parmar, SJ co-ordinated the inaugural session during which the ones on the dais were given a bouquet and sachet of Darjeeling Tea.

After the inaugural session each of the delegates shared about the work that he was doing in the area of PWPN in his Province. During the next session we shared what we had learnt from one another, and what we could possibly implement in our Provinces. Our special focus was on the process of the re-creation of PWPN.

In the next session Fr. Fornos took us to the origins of the movement in France. The Apostleship of Prayer was set up in 1844 by a group of Jesuit seminarians at Vals, France. The origins took us back in time as Fr. Fornos showed us how St. Theresa of Lisieux was also a part of the movement. This was followed by a presentation where he showed us we have a large number of people praying with the Pope in different countries.

The following day we were led through in-depth study of the documents that form the backbone of PWPN. We first dealt with the goal of PWPN: making ourselves inwardly ready for Christ’s mission. All Catholics can be part of this mission which begins at home.

The document on the Process of Re-creation points out that PWPN is a Pontifical service entrusted to the Society of Jesus. The title of the document is: “A Pathway with Jesus in Apostolic Readiness”. Thus Apostleship of Prayer would mean praying with the Pope: the Pope’s intention. The twelve intentions of the year are from the heart of Jesus pronounced by the Pope himself. It is the heart of the Risen Lord which is seen clearly in the appearance of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque.

Fr. Fornos also said that the First Friday of every month is the World Day of Prayer for the Pope’s Intentions. The next topic was on the School of Prayer. Fr. Fornos while explaining to us the Process of Re-creation of PWPN said that in 2016 the International Office of PWPN started off with the Pope Video and the application named Click to Pray. The Pope Video highlights and explains the intention of that particular month by the Pope himself. After this input session we once again broke into groups – regional groups – to think about how we can promote the Pope Video and the Click to Pray in our regions.

On the third day we came together to see how the spirituality of PWPN is linked to the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. We had a thanksgiving Eucharist celebrated by Fr. Jagdish, the National Director, before the next session on EYM. EYM was born in 1844 and from 1915 was called Eucharistic Crusade. After a brief discussion we went on to have the evaluation of the three days.

All of us were happy that Fr. Frederic explained to us wonderfully PWPN and thus motivated us to work hard for its promotion. All appreciated the organizational skills of Fr. Jagdish in carefully putting together the three day programme.

• Varun Rodriquez SJ

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