Jubilee: Celebration of Wounded Fidelity

With profound joy, the Salesians of Sacred Heart Province of Bangalore Province gathered to thank the Lord for the incredible journey of their 19 confreres who have dedicated 60, 50 and 25 years to His service in the Don Bosco way on February 3, at Don Bosco Vennala, Kochi.

The celebration enveloped in reflection and boundless joy, began with the Eucharist officiated by Father Joe Fernandez, celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Ordination. Welcoming the gathering, Vice Provincial Father Shalbin Kalanchery said, “Today, our hearts resound with deep gratitude to the Divine for the precious gift of their calling, a gift that has reverberated through their families, the Province, the Salesian Congregation and the Church itself”. He acknowledged their unwavering dedication and loyalty displayed over the years. “It is a cherished milestone, a divine blessing that surrounds us with an aura of praise, deep appreciation and heartfelt thanksgiving to the Almighty”, he said.

Quoting St John Paul II on consecrated life, Father Jose Mathew, Former Provincial of Bangalore Province and a jubilarian celebrating Golden Jubilee of Profession, in his sermon, said, a consecrated person is one for whom God is his love (chastity), wealth (poverty) and bread (obedience). God must become everything for us. Then, we become signs of God. We are called to be intense reminders of God to others. That is God’s dream for us. God chose us not because we are talented or because of the resources we have; God chose us because we are weak and frail so that God’s glory might be known through us. God knows that we are weak, frail and foolish. Despite that, He has chosen us. Therefore, jubilee is a celebration of our wounded fidelity, the effort to remain faithful. Jubilee is God’s plan for us, he said.

Wishing the jubilarians, the Provincial of Bangalore Province Father Jose Koyickal said, “We celebrate your faithfulness, perseverance, and trust in the Lord who called you and set you apart. We celebrate your commitment and dedication to your ministry as Salesians and priests. Looking at you, we feel happy, proud and inspired”. He further acknowledged their contribution to the growth of the Province. 

The celebration, laced with intermittent dance, songs, felicitations and donning of shawls on the jubilarians, concluded with agape.