Cardinal Ferrão Invites Faithful to Become "Spiritual Mothers"

Yercaud, Tamil Nadu | 16 July 2026: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI, called on the faithful to become "spiritual mothers" by following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He delivered the homily during the Public Reception Holy Mass celebrated on the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the Sacred Heart School Auditorium, Yercaud, as part of the CCBI Bishops' Joint Reflection Programme.

Reflecting on the Gospel, Cardinal Ferrão said that true spiritual motherhood is expressed by listening to God's Word, doing His will and bringing Christ into the lives of others. He invited everyone to allow God's Word to take flesh in their lives and to accompany the poor and the vulnerable with compassion.

Describing Mount Carmel as a place of commitment and renewal, the Cardinal urged the faithful to cultivate an undivided heart, deepen their lives of prayer and contemplation and become authentic witnesses of Christ.

The Diocese of Salem accorded a warm public reception to the 37 bishops participating in the CCBI Bishops' Joint Reflection Programme at Montfort Centre, Yercaud. Bishop Arulselvam Rayappan of Salem welcomed the bishops and honoured each of them with traditional shawls and garlands.

The Holy Eucharist was concelebrated by the bishops and hundreds of priests of the Diocese of Salem, in the presence of a large gathering of religious and lay faithful. A colourful cultural programme showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of Tamil Nadu added to the celebrations.

Msgr. Michaelraj Selvam, Vicar General of the Diocese of Salem, proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by Fr. David Stanly Kumar, Chancellor and Procurator of the Diocese of Salem; Br. Dominic Savio, Provincial of the Montfort Brothers, Yercaud Province; Fr. Maria Joseph Raj, Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Church, Yercaud; and Sr. Vimala Varghese, Superior of the Sacred Heart Community of the Cluny Sisters.