Seven jubilarians honoured at Mount St Joseph

On : 2024-04-15

Seven Jesuits of Karnataka province celebrated their jubilee of religious/priestly life on  April 12.  The event was held at Mount St Joseph, Bangalore.

The Jubilarians included Fr Clarence D'Souza and Fr Paulose T. Vellacada, marking 50 years in the Society of Jesus; Fr Anand Prabhu, celebrating 60 years in the Society; Fr Hilario Fernandes, celebrating 60 years of priesthood; Fr Maxim Rasquinha, commemorating 50 years of final vows, and two Jesuits, Fr Richard Sequeira and Fr Joseph B. Mathias, celebrating a double jubilee of 70 years in the Society of Jesus and 50 years of final vows, and 60 years in the Society of Jesus and 50 years of priesthood, respectively.

Fr Joseph B. Mathias, the diamond jubilarian, led the Eucharist as the main celebrant, while Fr Clarence D'Souza, the golden jubilarian, preached the homily. In his homily, Fr D’Souza focussed on Mary's Magnificat and expressed gratitude for the blessings in each jubilarians life. The choir at the mass was led by Fr Ashwin Cordeiro with his team of young priests.

Following the eucharist, a felicitation programme was held in the aula, where Fr Edward Rodrigues, with wit and humour, raised a toast to the jubilarians. He acknowledged the impact the jubilarians had on the lives of those they had served.

Fr Dionysius Vaz, the Provincial, congratulated the jubilarians and highlighted the significance of the jubilee as an opportunity to reflect on God's providence and life's journey. “Our jubilarians have summarised their Jesuit life in three words: walking in love, manifesting their love for God, the Society of Jesus, and the people of God, especially the poor,” he noted.

Fr Anand Prabhu, speaking on behalf of the jubilarians, expressed gratitude to God and everyone who had supported them on their journey toward Jesus. Fr Pratap served as the master of the ceremony, and the Mount St Joseph community members offered a melodious song to honour the jubilarians.