India: Five ‘only sons’ ordained priests among others in Society of Pilar

The Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier (Society of Pilar) is thrilled about having 19 new priests, who were ordained across India in May, including five priests who are “only sons” of their parents.
 
From the 19 newly ordained, Jackson Lawrence, Inacio D’Souza, Clinton Fernandes, Leonray De Mello, Venito Colaco, Nevil Fernandes, Mcsteein Oliveira and Eric Mascarenhas were ordained in Goa, western India.
 
Jackson, Inacio, Xavier Soreng, Mcsteein and Eric are the ‘only son’ of their parents.
 
Jackson was ordained by Cardinal-elect, Filipe Neri Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman on May 1.
 
He said, “I feel grateful to God for blessing me with this beautiful gift of the priesthood. God has chosen me to serve Him more closely and to remain ever faithful to Him.” 
 
Eric, who was ordained by Bishop Alwyn Barreto of Sindhudurg on May 11, said “Priesthood for me is a treasure in earthen pots. As I prepared for the ordination, I could feel the awe in the hearts of people, my family and in me too.”
 
“I am deeply grateful to God for choosing me. As I go forth in my maiden mission, I pray that I may constantly experience God’s presence and share His love with others,” he added.
 
Mcsteein was ordained on May 10 by Bishop Emeritus Alex Dias of Port Blair.
 
The new priest said, “My ordination day was a grace-filled moment, where I experienced newness in my life. It challenged me to be the person of Jesus and to know what my priorities are.”
 
“As I go to my mission station as a human I feel nervous but in Jesus, I feel confident,” he added.
 
The fourth ‘only son’ Xavier Soreng was ordained by Bishop Visuvasan Selvaraj of Port Blair on May 8. 
 
He said, “I feel happy as a newly ordained priest. Though I am unworthy yet God chose me to work in His Vineyard.”
 
With these ordinations, the Society of Pilar has 383 priests, who serve in over 120 communities spread in 41 dioceses across India and abroad.
 
In Jharkhand, Suman Indwar from Gumla was ordained on May 8 by Bishop Vinay Khandulna of Khunti. While Vijay Linda from Hulhundu, Jharkhand was ordained on May 15 by Archbishop Felix Toppo of Ranchi.
 
In Tamil Nadu, M. A. Peter Raja and R. Maria Selvan from Tirunelveli were ordained on May 7 by Bishop Anthonysamy of Palayamkottai. On May 10, Stalin A. from Hosur, Tamil Nadu was ordained by Bishop Lawrence Pius of Dharmapuri.

In Karnataka, five ordinations were held. Nelson Rebeiro, Maflin Lobo, and Parel Philip Fernandes were ordained on May 4 in Byndoor, Udupi, Karnataka by Bishop Isaac Gerald Lobo of Udupi. 

On May 10, Nelson Rodrigues was ordained in Joida, Karnataka by Bishop Derek Fernandes of Karwar. While Jaison D’Souza was ordained on May 12 by Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore.
 
The gift of 19 priests is indeed precious, especially in the current social scenario where consumerism and self-centeredness are rampant. 
 
These new priests will venture into the missions as ambassadors of Christ. On their shoulders lies a responsibility. As Thomas S. Monson rightly puts it, “The priesthood is not so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to bless the lives of others.”

The Society of Pilar, an indigenous Congregation, headquartered in Porvorim, Goa, western India, was founded by Jose Mariano Clemete Bento Martins on September 26, 1887. 

As years went by the Congregation, which was on the verge of extinction, was re-organized and revitalized on July 2, 1939. The charismatic leaders of the re-organization are called the second founders of the congregation.  

Responding to the clarion call given by Pope Leo XIII in the nineteenth century: “Your sons O India will be the messengers of your salvation”, the Society of Pilar – as they are popularly known – continue to practice their charism to “make Christ known to those who do not yet know him and to those who are become indifferent to Him” in India and other parts of the world. - Elvis Fernandes