Several regional units of Conference of Religious India observed the Year for Priests in the past month with special liturgies, prayers and gatherings as the Vatican-declared special observance draws to a close next month.

Some 400 men and women Religious in Kolkata joined to honor about 80 diocesan priests at an April 29 function in the city, admiring diocesan priests for their hard work.

“We want to tell you that we are proud of you,” Franciscan Sister Celine Xavier, vice-president of the Conference of Religious India’s Kolkata unit told the gathering.

Sister Xavier said the nuns appreciated the priests’ “life witness” and readiness to sacrifice their lives for people who need their assistance.

“We marvel at the energy you possess when at odd hours you are called upon to attend the dying, even in places difficult to reach, or at times even dangerous to travel,” she said.

Bambina Sister Thresia John Madamana said she appreciated priests being available to administer the Sacraments.

In Hyderabad, the local CRI observed the Year for Priests officially on April 22 with a day of prayer and recollection.

Bishop M.D. Prakasham of Nellore, chairperson of Andhra Pradesh Bishops’ Council for religious and seminary formation, and the regional co-ordinator for the Year for the Priests joined Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad for the  April 22 program.

Around 200 priests concelebrated Mass before 2,000 people. The liturgy impressed the people as Archbishop Joji washed the feet of 12 priests in a symbolic gesture of humility.

Incidentally, it was also the decennial anniversary of the Archbishop’ Joji’s episcopate that began in 2000. In his address, the archbishop apologized on behalf of the priests for all their shortcomings and weaknesses.

On Feb. 3, the Catechetical Sisters of St Ann’s (C.S.I) highlighted the Year for the Priests and celebrated the event on a grand scale. Around 70 priests and Archbishop Joji joined the Mass.

The Sisters of St Ann of Luzern also celebrated the Year for the Priests on April 7 with great eagerness and zeal. Archbishop Joji joined with some 80 priests to celebrate the event.

The Guwahati unit of CRI felicitated the priests of the archdiocese on May 1.

Fatima Sister Ventura Fernandes, former Superior General of Fatima Sisters, said she appreciated the availability of priests to meet their needs such as sacraments, retreats and recollections and moderate seminars and meetings.

“Today we want to acknowledge, appreciate and thank you immensely for your goodness and readiness in reaching out to us in our spiritual and temporal needs,” she added.

Sister Ventura acknowledged the priestly ministry is “silent heroism” because it needs “working with all heart and strength without seeing the fruits at times.”

Quoting Saint John Mary Vianney, the model of parish priests, the nun said priesthood “is the love of the heart of Jesus. A priest of God, the immense gift you represent is not only for the Church but for the entire humanity itself.”

In his response Salesain Father Lukose Cheruvelil said on “our part we promise not to fail you and to fulfill our responsibilities towards you. We are at your service.”

Source: CRI

Related posts:

1. Myanmar Religious observe Day of Consecrated
2. CMC Sisters gather priests for vocations’ day
3. Sister Fernandes new regional superior
4. A 60-year labor of love
5. Mother’s tomb inspires prayers for priests