BIS # 3289 - CALLED BY GOD TO BE HIS FOREVER

BIS Mumbai                                  

BOSCO INFORMATION SERVICE # 3289

CALLED BY GOD TO BE HIS FOREVER

Cl. Rudolf D’souza

MATUNGA- MUMBAI, DECEMBER 24, 2012: His Eminence, Cardinal Oswald Gracias graced the occasion when he presided over the solemn Eucharist on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, in which Deacons Charles Anthony, Jesu Robinson, and McEnroe Lopes were ordained priests. The solemn event was concelebrated by over seventy five priests, and witnessed by hundreds comprising family, relatives, religious and well wishers.

 

His Eminence, in his homily, quoted St. Bernard, speaking about the first and coming of Christ, the former being that of the Nativity of Christ and the latter that of His glorious coming. In between the two there involves a third coming wherein Christ comes continuously in our lives in our day to day living. Advent is nothing but a season of this great expectation and hope and a time for purification to receive the Lord more fruitfully.

 

His Eminence added, “An ordination during the season of Advent earns great significance for the same reasons. The challenge for new priests is to make the Word of God alive and relevant for the people of God. The challenge lies in responding to the different changes that affect society and the world at large. The challenge lies again in bringing God to man and at the same time taking man to God. A priest can accomplish this only through the means of Sacraments especially through the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist.

 

This challenge lies especially for the young who are the main targets of the Salesian Charism. The youth need not only receive the Word of God but also need to give out the Word of God to others. This is how the young will be agents of new evangelization.” The Cardinal also called the gathering to pray for the newly ordained that they may be able to face these challenges placed before them.

 

The Homily was then followed by the examination of the candidates, the Litany of the Saints and then the Laying of Hands. Provincial of the Mumbai Province, Fr. Michael Fernandes, welcomed the newly ordained into the priestly fraternity. He also thanked their parents for their generous gift of their sons to the Salesian Congregation.

 

The liturgy was beautifully planned and executed by the Vice Provincial Rev. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, Frs. Ivan Rodrigues, and Cleophas Braganza. The Choir from the Dominic Savio Parish, Wadala (E) helped make the solemn occasion more prayerful with their beautiful singing. The whole event was a memorable one for all who witnessed it. May the new priests be shepherds to their flock after the heart of Don Bosco!

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