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Papal Intention for September: The whole Church is invited to pray for the improvement of our relationship with the whole creation. From September 1 to October 4, the universal Church celebrates the Season of Creation. Reflecting on God’s marvellous creation, St Francis of Assisi called them brother, sister and mother in his Canticles of the Creatures. Following his example, we are specially called upon to care for God’s creation. There is an intimate interdependence and harmony between all creatures as all are the handiwork of God. Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Sì: “Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves, or as a mere setting in which we live. We are part of nature, included in it and thus in constant interaction with it” (n. 139). Let us give special attention to listen to the cry of the earth, the poor, and care for the whole creation (LS, n. 49).
New Mass for the Care of Creation: The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has provided a new Mass formulary, “Mass for the Care of Creation” (Missa Pro custodia creationis), along with the related readings. This new formulary is approved by the Roman Pontiff and it is made part of the Roman Missal under the section “Masses for various needs and occasions”. The CCBI has invited the Church in India to celebrate this Mass on the first Sunday of September, September 7, and has provided guidelines for celebrating this day meaningfully. Mangala Jyothi will provide both the English and Konkani translations of the Mass formulary, ad experimentum, and the definitive translations will be circulated once the confirmatio is received from the Holy See. Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Holy Eucharist amid the beauty of God’s magnificent works on July 9, 2025 at Borgo Laudato si’ (Castel Gandolfo), calling it “the cathedral” of creation. I invite parish Churches and communities to celebrate the Mass for the Care of Creation on September 7, Laudato Sì Sunday.
Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, September 8: Our Diocese has a beautiful tradition of celebrating the Nativity of Our Blessed Mother with flowers, Novena, and special prayers. The new corn, unity of the family, and the girl child are our focus. The whole atmosphere around us with lush green surroundings brings feelings of tenderness and family bonding. Children are the centre of attraction. Every member of the family, living and the dear departed, is remembered with love. May Mother Mary intercede for our families, each member and the whole creation.
Diocesan Synodal Facilitation Team: The General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops has invited all the Dioceses to form a Synodal Facilitation Team. This team will assist in implementing the conclusions of Synod 2021-24, and in animating synodal life in the Diocese. The synodal formation at the Parish and Deanery level will foster a culture of listening, discernment, participation, pastoral and missionary conversion. In light of the directives given by the General Secretariat and in response to the call of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, the Diocesan Facilitation Team is hereby constituted, consisting of the following members:
Office Bearers
Diocesan Priests
Religious Men and Women)
Lay Faithful
Election of PPC and PFC Members: By December 31, 2025, the terms of the current Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Finance Council will have been completed. Therefore, the process for the election of the 2026-2028 Councils needs to be initiated. Please carefully review the Constitution of the Councils of the Diocese of Mangalore, promulgated in 2022. The norms of the Constitution should be strictly followed. A separate section in this volume of Inter Nos provides timelines; please follow them meticulously. Renewal of Registration U/S 12A, 12AA, 12AB, and 80G of the Income Tax Act: The registration of Religious and Charitable Trusts for tax exemption expires on March 31, 2026. The application for renewal of registration has to be submitted to the Commissioner of Income Tax online in Form No. 10A at least 6 months before the expiry of the existing registration. That would mean the application should be submitted before September 30, 2025. Kindly contact your Auditor for the list of documents to be submitted and take it as a priority. Issuing of Certificates: While preparing documents for Marriage please check whether the Baptism certificate is issued from the place of Baptism. It is clarified during the Council of Priests’ Meeting that certificates are to be issued only from a place where the act is done (for a detailed explanation, see the separate section on this matter in this Inter Nos). Similarly, notifications of Marriage and Confirmation should be sent to the place of Baptism without fail. While issuing the computerised copy of the certificates, countercheck them against the handwritten registers to verify that all necessary entries are correctly made. It has been noted that errors creep in and they create greater problems.
Jeevan Jyothi Camps: In October, Jeevan Jyothi camps are held for children in the X standard. I truly appreciate the efforts undertaken to support the formation of adolescent students. I am sure you give special attention to preparing them for the challenges of adolescent life, faith formation, and matters related to their life-choices. I request that you seriously discuss vocation and commitment. It is important to guide them in proper discernment about God’s call to the priesthood and religious life. Inspire boys to choose the priesthood for the Diocese. Wish you a Happy Monthi Fest. May Mother Mary intercede for our families.
Peter Paul Saldanha
Bishop of Mangalore
