Father Justus Mendis & Dinesh Vasava for BISMumbai

“God is indeed close to us, His beloved people, in the gifts He gives us through the ministry of the priests of His Son,” were the sentiments of the Salesians [[SDB], Daughters of Mary Help of Christians [FMA], the hostelites, school students and parishoners of Christ the King Church Dakor on 03 January 2020, as they welcomed with enthusiastic exuberance ,the 05 newly ordained of the Salesian Province of St. Francis Xavier Bombay [INB].

Accompanied by Father Dinesh Vasava, Director Amrutdhara Don Bosco and Vocation Promoter Gujarat Region, Fathers Bosco Carvalho, Clarence Martis, Jerome Aruldass, Mavron Fernandes and Xavier Bandya kickstarted their honeymoon with the 1^st stopover at Dakor on the auspicious 1^st Friday of the New year 2020 dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

Greeted in the traditional Gujarati style with a welcome arati amidst a genial showering of flowers, the famous five rode on a camel-carriage accompanied by smiling faces, cheerful hearts and eager footsteps to celebrate the festive Holy Eucharist.

Father Jerome Aruldass presided at the concelebrated Eucharist, and broke the Word of God for the congregated assembly of worshippers, which in turn showered prayers and blessings on the new priests . The customary ‘kissing of the anointed palms of the newly ordained’, was followed by a well-prepared cultural programme and felicitation, after which a short interactive session with the Catholic students, allowed time for sharing their personal testimonials on the way to their sacerdotal goal.

“God calls everyone to holiness, in whichever and whatever situation of life, wherever we are. It can seem terrifying but don’t be afraid to respond,” was the message relayed by the famous five to the young seekers.

Having shared a sumptuous lunch, the five men army proceeded 32 kilometres further onward departing from the pilgrimage centre of Dakor to the next stop on their itinerary, the erstwhile land of textiles, Kapadvanj.