Kochi: As Kerala prepares to welcome the harvest festival of Onam, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) extended heartfelt greetings to all Keralites, urging the celebrations to embody the values of unity, peace, and prosperity. In a joint message, KCBC President Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, Vice President Mar Pauly Kannukkadan, and Secretary General Dr. Alex Vadakkumthala called upon the faithful to embrace Onam as an occasion that transcends religious, communal, and social boundaries.
The bishops emphasized that this year’s Onam should be an opportunity for reflection and solidarity, particularly with brothers and sisters across India who continue to suffer due to conflicts and unrest. “Let us pray for all those affected, and may our Onam celebrations nurture compassion, care, and fraternity among all sections of society,” the statement read.
Highlighting the deeper significance of Onam, the KCBC leaders spoke of the festival as a reminder of human goodness and shared prosperity. “Human civilization is enriched by memories of virtue and benevolence,” they said. “Onam, through the story of Mahabali, encourages us to envision a future guided by honesty, fairness, and hope a world free from deceit and injustice.”
The message also urged Malayalis to celebrate the festival in ways that promote love, harmony, and patriotism. The bishops stressed that Onam is not merely a seasonal festivity but a cultural ethos that teaches the value of unity, encourages acts of generosity, and fosters a spirit of human brotherhood.
Concluding their message, KCBC called upon everyone to make this Onam a celebration not only of traditional customs and cultural vibrancy but also of enduring moral values that bind society together. “May this Onam be a time to share joy, cultivate goodness, and reinforce the bonds that unite us as one people,” they said, sending their blessings for peace, prosperity, and lasting harmony.