What could be more precious than a PRIEST?
A man who answered his calling and is instrumental in bringing God closer to us in the Eucharist, Sacraments, and in prayer. One who is with us in our joys and sorrows, who visits us, counsels and comforts us, listens to us in confession without judgements, and the one who constantly prays for us his flock.
At a time when the Church is praying for more priestly vocations, Vianney Sunday gave us an opportunity to pause and recognize, value and thank our dear Priests, God has chosen for us. And with these thoughts in our hearts we gathered on 9th Aug to celebrate our dear Priests.
The Mass began with a beautiful procession of the Altar Servers, Zone wise coordinators and religious followed by our dear Priests. Fr. John’s homily focused on the Patron Saint of Priests, St. John Marie Vianney, and his calls to serve the people of the French village of Ars. He reminded us that God chose St. John Marie Vianney despite his shortcomings and limitations, showing us that God does not always choose the mighty, but calls those who are willing and available to serve. Through examples of Goliath, Moses, Mother Mary and his own Son being born in a humble stable. He reminded us we as lay people are called to make ourselves available to God and serve wherever He calls us.
Towards the end of the Mass the celebration then moved into the felicitation of our priests. The Priests were invited to step forward zone wise to their respective wings, where beautifully decorated table with customised cakes awaited them. Before each cake was cut, a few words were shared about the priests, highlighting his unique charisms, qualities, and the special gift he brings to our community. The entire congregation accompanied the choir and joyfully sang the “Happy Feast Day to you”, while the cake was cut by the Priest in all the three wings. The Religious and the Zonal Coordinators then felicitated each priest with a gift and a bouquet prepared by the community
The highlight was the bouquet, not just an ordinary bouquet but – A Spiritual Bouquet – a beautiful offering of love, prayers and sacrifice from our communities. The bouquet carried Holy Masses offered for each Priests intention, Novenas, rosaries, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, visits to the sick, fasting, various acts of charity and personal prayer done and to be done. Imagine thousands of parishioners lifting their prayers to God in various ways for our dear priests – Truly, countless blessings on them.
The celebration and Mass were concluded by Fr. John giving his blessings and then the entire congregation sang “Keep them we pray” as a blessing for our priests. Everyone came together to wish them and take photographs with our Heroes, creating beautiful memories.
May God continue to bless, protect and strengthen our dear priests and may they always know, how loved they are by all of us here.
