This year 12 diocesan priests from different dioceses of Bangladesh celebrated their silver Jubilee anniversaries at Our Lady of Lourdes Church Bonpara on April 20 and Maria Virgo Potens Church Borni on April 22.
During the silver jubilee celebration 35 priests, 21 nuns and a large number of Catholics and relatives numbering around 1,200 were present including Bishop Gervas Rozario of Rajshahi.
Jubilee celebrant Father Sushanto Christopher D’ Costa said, "I thank God for my priestly life.”
"From a young age, I had a strong desire to be a priest, and I nurtured that desire in my heart,” he added.
The love, sacrifice, and prayer life of his parents encouraged him to grow as a person and priest.
“The life and deeds of my parents inspired and encouraged me so much in life,” D’Costa said.
In his speech on the occasion, Bishop Rozario congratulated Father Sushanto and all the other jubilee celebrants from different dioceses of Bangladesh.
"God does not call us for any special quality but God loves us, that is why He calls us for His work. God is the first who loved us, so we need to realize His love in our priestly lives," said Bishop Rozario.
He reminded them that the priestly life "is not always easy and simple.”
"In our priestly life, there are many joys and sorrows. But in the Kingdom of God, joy is waiting for those who dedicate their lives to their good work. Life is happy only when one can overcome sorrow," said the prelate.
On the occasion, the priest of Bonpara Church Father Dilip S. Costa said, “All the priests are your people. They stay with you and work for you. So, you should pray for all the priests for their dedicated life.”
In his talk, Sukleash George Costa, regional director of Caritas Rajshahi said, "I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to Father D’Costa and all the priests who are celebrating their Silver Jubilee.”
"I pray to God that they are invited to work in Jesus' vineyard and have been faithfully living a priestly life for the past 25 years,” he added.
Costa urged all to pray for priests.
Jubilee celebrant from Dhaka Archdiocese Father Khokon Vincent Gomes said, "I acknowledge that the priesthood is a precious gift to me.
During the last 25 years, he has experienced the profound love and protection of God.
“I have received the prayerful support, love, and concerns from the people to live a meaningful priestly life,” he said.
Thanking God and people, he said, “I promise to be faithful to my priestly life and ministry till the end of my life. May Mother Mary protect us and keep us safe.”
"Priesthood is a precious gift of God. I express my gratitude to all who have inspired me in my vocation to serve the people of God. My vision and mission are we are called, we are chosen and we are sent,” said Father Terence Rodrigues of Chittagong Archdiocese.
Maria Costa, a Catholic from Bonpara Mission said, "A priest is required to act as a mediator between God and people.”
“We need to pray for more vocations so that church has more priests to work for society,” she added.
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