sahodaya

FR. VINCY ON PRIESTHOOD

Your understanding of Priesthood

Primarily Priesthood = SERVICE

What is expected of us as Priests

Be faithful to the Call

Your experience of being a priest for 22 years.

No regrets of being a Priest. But feel guilty that I have lost many opportunities to live up to the demands of the Priesthood.

Your observations or opinions about us in formation to be Priests.

Some how the Mystical dimension of our Spirituality is missed out during the Formation. May be its due to the incorrect understanding about Mysticism. I too lately discovered the same during one retreat I was conducting. I became aware of the deep dimension as well as diverse aspects of Ignatian Mysticism which are concisely articulated in the Contemplation to obtain Gods Love:

the gifts we have received. (no 234 Sp.Ex)

the indwelling presence of God (no 235)

God who labours ( no 236)

All in God and God in all things (no 237)

Unfortunately Corporates are using the Principles of our Spirituality and making money/profit out of it.

Some words of encouragement, etc.

I shall share with you what one of the Priests told me when I was a Novice: “After seeing all this (the problems/nepotism/malpractices etc in the SJ) do not leave the SJ”

Anything else pertaining to Priesthood.

Beg for the grace of La Storta as Ignatius prayed for 15 years ceaselessly: “Being Placed with the Son” As for me the grace of La Storta melts all our doubts or questions about Priesthood or even that of our Vocation.

Fr.Vincent Crasta SJ

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My understanding of priest

Priesthood is a privileged position to serve God and His people.

Expectations:

As priest we are to be role models for the people. People expect us priests to be simple, prayerful, learned, holy and to be involved in their struggles.

My experience of being a priest for 1½ years is: Priests are, in a way, forced to be makes sacrifices.

Observations about Scholastics:

Most Scholastics are highly talented, hard working and full of life.

Words of encouragement:

Most scholastics are well versed in handling and working on modern equipments. Many new initiatives in the Province can be attributed to the scholastics. (E.g. Starting of Pannur Mission). Therefore it is important to dream big dreams which will surely be realized.

Fr.Ronnie Menezes SJ

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Message from Fr.Rossi

"Dear Brothers,

Give yourselves to God wholeheartedly when you are at your best, young and energetic. You will not regret it. Don't wait for the old age. Give yourselves to God means offering yourself after the example of Jesus in humble compassionate service to your neighbour who is poor, oppressed, deprived, marginalized and sinful, without expecting any return. Jesus reveals to us who God is and teaches us with living examples how to serve Him in our neighbour. Let the personality of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples captivate you. Don't ever become victims of cheap media tempting worldly propaganda. I am still discovering God more and more by my following of Jesus. Lively humble ambition to be a man of God sailed me smoothly through all the difficulties I faced in conquering the world and myself. God is the "Ocean and we are His waves". May God give you the grace to experience it. Jesus by being a wave and by washing our feet in humble service discovered His oneness with the Ocean, Father. Jesus reveals to us God as a servant. Be creative in finding effective newer ways of serving your neighbour. Do not be a Priest without wanting to be a servant.

Your brother,

Rossi.

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THOUGHTS ON PRIESTHOOD

By the grace of God I have been able to serve His people as a happy priest for the past 43 years, and I am grateful to Him for calling me and for accompanying me all these years. The scripture text from Luke that I chose for my Ordination souvenir - I am among you as one who serves - has been my guiding principle.

I truly believe that the words of Jesus at the institution of the Eucharist - Do this in commemoration of me - meant not merely that a priest repeats the action and words of Jesus, which is quite easy, but that he lets his body to be broken and his blood to be poured out for others. The words of St John Bosco's mother to her son come to my mind: My son, you cannot be a full priest of Jesus unless you too are ready to be the offerer and the victim as Jesus himself was.

A slow, deliberate and devout celebration of the Mass itelf by the priest can be an effective sermon, though the preaching too is needed. Did not the disciples of Emmaus feel their hearts burning within them as Jesus explained to them the scriptures, and recognize him at the breaking of the bread? Jesus is always our model in this, though I as a priest may fall short of the ideal.

This devotion, however, does not come with Ordination, but the enthusiastic way one participates in the daily Mass - attention to the word of God, and the loud, slow and meaningful recitation of the prayers paves the way to the manner of one's celebrating Mass when one is ordained.

Richard Sequeira SJ

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Message from Helen Mendonca

Dear Brothers, as I wish you faithfulness in your ministry I pray that you may cultivate a deep love for the Eucharist and draw strength from it to face the challenges of life. And be faithful to Christ who has called you and who is always faithful to you. Very soon you will be the ministers of Christ. May you be a gift of God to the flock entrusted to your care through your BEING a man of God. May you be filled with the abundance of the gifts of the Spirit as you walk in the midst of people who are soaked and are affected by temporary values of Globalisation, Consumerism and Liberalism. May the Lord enable you to inspire and guide the people with the Words of life and take them along with you to the eternal happiness.

Helen Mendonca