PANAJI
The Society of Pilar celebrated the golden and silver jubilees of priestly ordination of 17 of its members with a solemn Thanksgiving Eucharist held at the Mission Seminary Chapel, Pilar, on Sunday.
Fr Francis Carvalho, who celebrated his Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years of priestly ministry, presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration, while 16 other priests commemorated 25 years of dedicated service to the Church and the Society.
The Silver Jubilarians were Fr Agnel K. Bhoye, Fr Allan Tavares, Fr Anthony Melwin Fernandes, Fr Anuj Kumar Nag, Fr Christopher Michael, Fr Conceicao Pinto, Fr Francis Elric Guria, Fr Francis John Rosario, Fr Frankey D’Cunha, Fr Jerry Vaz, Fr Joaquim Valeriano Fernandes, Fr Joseph Fernandes, Fr Lancelot Fernandes, Fr Peter Fernandes, Fr Roncy Braganza and Fr Sonny Furtado. Fr Peter Fernandes and Fr Christopher Michael, who could not be present for the celebration, were also remembered on the occasion.
In his homily, Silver Jubilarian Fr Roncy Braganza reflected on the journey of priestly life, recalling the constant support and cooperation received from their companions, superiors, teachers, collaborators and the people they have served, beginning with their initial formation in the seminary.
He acknowledged that this encouragement and accompaniment had sustained them through the various struggles, challenges and trials encountered during their missionary journeys.
The jubilarians also gratefully remembered their parents, many of whom have since passed away, and their deceased companion, Fr Alex D’Souza, acknowledging their contribution to their priestly vocation and journey.
Addressing the jubilarians, Fr Nazareth Fernandes, Superior General of the Society of Pilar, expressed gratitude to God for the gift of their priesthood and thanked them for their dedicated service to the Church and the Society.
He acknowledged their diverse missionary contributions in India and abroad, highlighting how they had lived the missionary vision of the Society of Pilar: proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and establishing and strengthening the faith wherever they were sent.
The Society of Pilar, founded in 1887 and reorganised in 1939, continues its missionary commitment through pastoral, educational, social ministries and other diversified ministries in different parts of India and abroad.
