Mary Magdalene

conducted with all four groups together, at the same time, in the same room. The room we were in was a large parish hall, with sounds echoing off the concrete walls, and tiled floor. Shared by 150 children between 5 and 15 years of age. And the young Fathers in charge, would be encopuraging the children to shout out the names of their groups in turn. And later on also the yell they had had to make with their group. Just the recipe for  developing a splitting headache.

   So, as we would not be singing with a small group of 5 to 9 year olds, we had to come up with new songs.  And we were also told we would hav e enough time to teach them anything too complicated, as the programme was brimming with activities (apparently, they were conducting a 5-day programme in only three days).  We had prepared some gospel songs which we could sing with the kids. We brought along a bag of rythm instuments, and on this first day we sang "Michael row the boat ashore". The kids were especially keen to play on the instruments, and it was a bit of a challenge to also pick some less extroverted kids and give them a chance to play.

   The second song we wanted to teach them was "Are you sleeping brother John". But then as a canon. The children already knew the song, but were unfamiliar with the concept of a canon. In the end it took us two sessions, and the help of the Fathers, but we manged to make 150 children sing the song in a four voiced canon. We were quite proud of this group achievement.

   We also sang "I like to teach the world to sing", and our final contribution to the camp was singing "He's got the whole world (in His hands)", with actions. änd Simon taught the kids to say one Dutch word: "Goedemorgen", meaning: good morning. 

   All the while during this summer programme for the children, workers were building a huge stand in front of the church. This was to be used for a grand feast that would follow in just a few days: The church was making an attempt to present the grand number of 330 Mary Magdalenes, to enter the Indian book of records. Of course, we were invited for this event. When we arrived on the site of the festivities, we immediately spotted a few of the younger kids that we had sung with. They also spotted us, and waved and came over to make selfies. One boy shook hands with Simon and with a proud face said: "Goedemorgen!" It was 5 pm.

   The Mary Magdalenes were all dressed up and  climbing up on the stand. It was a really magnificent sight, all those women in identical clothing. The church was decorated with lights, as was the entire site. There were snack-stalls, and a musical group had come in from another parish. And the whole parish had turned up to be part of this spectacle. And of course they set the record. Father Shaiju was awarded a framed charter stating the accomplishment, and all Marys recieved an award. After this, there was mass. The enormous turnout of people did not fit into the church. More than half of them sat outside. The sound from the mass could be heard all around, thanks to massive speakers outside of the church, And a lightshow was projected on the white churchbuilding.

   It was only hours before, that Simon and me expressed our amazement over all the wonderful things that happened to us here. Things we never could have imagined in our wildest dreams. And those are not only big things. It's the little things that make you realise we're living a world that is completely different from what we are used to in the Netherlands. Kids coming to take selfies with you, waving at you. Being welcomed as distinguished guests all the time, and being sat on the front row. 330 Mary Magdalenes.

   After mass we had a copious meal together with Father Shaiju and his guest bishop Alex Vadakumthala. This kind and pleasant man was the one who introduced ouir friend Prakash Goossens to Father Shaiju back in 2013. Bishop Alex had studied in Augsburg, Germany. And so it happens that on a given Thursdayevening your speaking German with the bishop of Kannur, while eating mangoes from the garden of Mary Magdalene parish church in Maradu, Kochi, India.