On the 1^st of May, I completed twenty-seven years of priestly ordination.

 I hold two dates very close to my heart, my birthday and my ordination days. None of us can relive the day of our birth, except by a few stories related to us by our parents, grandparents and others, but anyone can surely have fresh and vivid flash backs of their wedding day or any other memorable day. We love to revisit that day because it brings joy to us.

On the 1^st of May, I completed twenty-seven years of priestly ordination. In the year 1994, this day knows bounds for me for I could see the glowing faces of my parents and siblings. Perhaps my ordination was the best thing that ever happened in their lives.

I do not take pride, but rather feel humbled before God to have been chosen to be this unworthy priest. I had chosen as the theme of our ordination: “The Lord says “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” I thank the Lord for accepting me, an unworthy person, to be His follower.

Every year I spend this day meditating upon my days as a teenager, hovering in and around the church and priests. During summer vacation my mother would say   ”Go and stay with the priests.” Wow, whenever I visit my village parish I get chills of joy on seeing the big fruit trees by the rectory, which I watered when I was a teenager. Just as the fruit tree requires tender care to grow and flourish so does a person require nurturing of their spiritual being, which I received there. We were around 30 altar servers and I was the first to join the seminary; then others followed. I would pause here and ask you to pray for one of them who is on a ventilator due to covid.

I am grateful to God for blessing me with a devout family. The seed of the priesthood was sown in me by my family members, especially my mom. She always told us that she was involved in the parish ministry right from her days of youth. During my younger days we had an important family tradition. My siblings and I had to wind up all our activities like sports or hanging out with friends by 7pm. At seven, with the sound of the church bell, my mom would lead us in reciting the Angelus followed by the Rosary. This faithful tradition instilled in me the love for prayer that ultimately was translated into my priestly vocation. Family plays a vital role in every priest’s life.

The twenty-seven years of my priesthood have been a wonderful and fulfilling journey. After ministering in the education Apostalate, I requested a pastoral ministry in 2015. With great joy of fulfillment I can claim that my heart is in the right place, as I enjoy the pastoral ministry the most now. I feel that the credit goes to every one of you for accepting me with your open hearts and minds, as your pastor. It was wonderful to celebrate my 25^th anniversary of priestly ordination two years ago amidst you. You have contributed immensely to my priesthood.  I take this opportunity to thank you for your love and prayerful support.

Together we can serve the Lord as His faithful chosen disciples.

May God bless you and your near and dear ones.

– Fr. Bernard