On 2nd May 1992 was a day that I will never
forget in my Life as I offered my life to Jesus, the High priest and there
began my wonderful and experiential journey. Today I just look back with wonder
and gratitude. I just accept that the challenge to be instrument of Jesus was
always a challenge…..How in these wonderful years of being a Capuchin Priest
Jesus walked with me. He did away my brokenness and darkness and in stead he
filled me with His light and strength. I knew that Jesus and His grace was
working with me and this never let me have a doubt about my priesthood and a
call to live in a Capuchin fraternity. Jesus walked with me all through 25
years as a young priest in a remote mission of Ambajogai in Maharashtra….tough
for a young priest of 28 years…with challenges, difficulties, problems and a
big responsibility of a school. The founding years amidst all these challenges
made consecration and priesthood strong……two years in Goa as formator laid
further foundation in my priestly life….being with young and made me realize
that I got to keep learning…..two years in Rome studying Franciscan
Spirituality made me solid in my call as a Capuchin Franciscan…..6 years as a
director of the Initial formation were moments of shaping the young…..sharing
my Franciscan experience…..then 3 years as a pastor……getting into the real life
of the people…their problems and joys and sorrows made my conviction strong
that life is beautiful and it should be lived by walking in faith. Then the
animation of the Province of Maharashtra…..the collaboration of the friars….the
many challenges faced together with the friars…..the province was on the path
of spiritual and material progress….then the International experience of being
a general councillor….it is amazing one….i just cannot describe and pen it in
few words…..it is the summit of all the experiences….i am grateful to the Lord
for what he has been and what he has achieved through me…..i remain His humble
servant and son…..
These 25 years were given as a gift to me by the
Lord….I am convinced that I have not been faithful to Him…..i have been
independently thinking and doing without the Lord…..I have experienced failures
when I ignored him……I was impatient but the Lord was patient with all my
weaknesses and failure…I always felt that He never left me alone…..He was
always available to me when I called Him….The sacramental ministries which I
exercised for last 25 years….I have enjoyed all of them because the Lord was
present while exercising them….I celebrated Eucharist, heard confessions,
preached, conducted funerals, blessed the Nuptials, baptised babies…..all this
was done in His name and presence….
I say a big thank you to
the Lord for these 25 fruitful years of service in His Vineyard….I say thank you to my Family, Brothers,
Sisters-in-Law, nephews and nieces, grand nephews and nieces, friends,
benefactors, my Province and Friars….and I cannot forget my
formators in Holy Trinity Province in Karnataka…..My actual fraternity
General Curia…General Minister and all councillors…..
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