By Ms Julian John for BIS Mumbai

Christmas lights faded softly, their warmth lingered in our hearts guiding us towards the New Year 2026. Gratitude for shared moments met, hope for a fresh beginning. Between farewells and welcomes, we pause, reflect and step forward together, carrying joy, faith and renewed purpose into 2026 with optimism and wonder.

The very beginning of this year was marked by a truly joyful and grace-filled moment for Don Bosco Parish, Nashik, as the Parish community warmly welcomed four young and dynamic newly ordained Salesian priests. This special occasion took place on January 4, 2026, which also coincided with the solemnity of the Epiphany, making the celebrations even more meaningful and spiritually enriching.

This occasion drew a large gathering of parishioners, and the Church was filled to its capacity as the faithful assembled with great enthusiasm and devotion. The congregation of the faithful waited eagerly to welcome the priests, participate in the Holy Eucharistic celebration and witness an important milestone in their priestly journey.

The Principal celebrant of the Eucharist was Fr Sheldon Dias sdb. He was assisted by Fr Jittin Varghese sdb and Fr Christopher Nadar sdb. Fr Aegidius Pereira sdb proclaimed the Gospel and preached a beautiful and inspiring homily that resonated deeply with the assembled congregation. His message encouraged faith, commitment and trust in God’s call, especially for the younger generation.

These young priests have made a courageous decision to dedicate their lives completely to the service of the Lord and His people. Their commitment stands as a powerful witness and a source of inspiration to many youngsters to find joy and fulfillment in the priestly vocation. At the conclusion of the Mass, all four priests imparted their priestly blessings to the congregation, which was received with deep reverence and joy.

On behalf of the parish, in his announcements, Fr Royal D’abreo sdb, the Parish Priest, assured the young priests of the constant prayers and support of the Parish community in all their endeavours. Following the Holy Mass, the parishioners formed a long queue to kiss the holy hands of the newly ordained priests as a sign of respect and love.

We, the parishioners of Don Bosco Parish, Nashik, thank the Lord for the gift of these four priests to the Salesian Congregation and pray that the good Lord may hold them always in his protective hand and our Blessed Mother constantly guide them throughout their priestly journey.