Social media has been buzzing with various renditions of the popular song "Jerusalema" by Master KG, and religious from all over the world have joined in the joyous dance, making us smile. These religious from India, however, have really added something special to the dance.
A video was posted by the Varapuzha Basilica in Kerala, India. The basilica is the mother church to 14 churches in the region, a part of India that has been badly affected in the COVID pandemic. In fact, in the last few days the number of cases has risen dramatically.
And it is with COVID in mind that the rector of the basilica, Rev. Fr. Basil Padua O.C.D., introduced the video of religious, teachers, and catechism students joining in the popular dance. The dance is a tribute to the nation's health workers who have been working non-stop to help their fellow citizens.
The video begins with an apt quote from Galatians 6:2 -- "Carry each other's burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." With India being one of the countries worst hit by the pandemic, and around 200 priests dying, people have been coming together to help their families, friends and complete strangers.
So while this video is a celebration of the health workers, it is also a fine example of religious and lay Catholics coming together with an uplifting message of gratitude and unity.
If you're not a linguist, you may want to skip to the beginning of the dance at 2 minutes 15 seconds, where two religious step out with moves worthy of Bollywood. Be sure to watch the video to the end to see inside the beautiful basilica and the religious in prayer.
