St. Hannibal's Quote

Beautiful it is the sun shining down streams of light to the earth, but still more beautiful is Mary.

Embracing Suffering
for Love's Sake


The Vocation Story of
Sr. Therese, OCD
Read More

Fr. Martin
Baluyot Panlasigui

Fr. Panlasigui was a virtuous and obedient priest
Read More

On the Growth with
Rogate Youth

is to answer the challenges of life and vocation through the examples Saint Hannibal
Read More

Order of
Carmelite Discalced

The Carmelite Order originated on Mt. Carmel in the Holy Land
Read More

What's New?

Congregations

Founders/ress

WDPV Messages

Crowds gather to attract young to vocations PDF Print E-mail
Written by UCAN - Gazipur, Bangladesh   
Thursday, 04 February 2010 00:00
A Year for Priests celebration in Dhaka archdiocese expects to draw more vocations to the priesthood and Religious life.

About 10,000 Catholics gathered at Panjora village of Nagari parish in the archdiocese’s Bhawal region to greet their priests on Feb. 1. Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka and his Auxiliary Bishop Theotonius Gomes attended the program honoring 50 diocesan and Religious priests.

“Bhawal region has contributed 90 priests to the Church, more than any number in any Catholic settlement in the country,” the archbishop said.

He told the people that their presence shows their love for their priests and is a “source of hope” for priests whenever they face challenges in their vocation.

The prelate also urged parents to encourage their children to join the priesthood or Religious life.

The Bhawal Regional Pastoral Council, that covers six parishes, organized the event. Dhaka is the country’s only archdiocese.

“We hope that this program will inspire people to encourage their children to join the Religious life” said Holy Cross Brother Prodip Louis Rozario, convener for the event.

Riten Rego, a ninth grader, said he was inspired by the celebration to become a priest.

“I learned from the speeches of the priests how beautiful and holy their life is. It inspired me to make my life as beautiful and holy,” he said.

Beauty Rebeiro, a Catholic mother, told UCA News that she was overjoyed to see so many priests at the same time. “I wish to become a proud mother of a priest one day,” she said. “I sent my son to this program so that he could be inspired to be a priest.”

The presence of so many people was an inspiration for the priests too.

“This program gives me strength to continue my priestly service in this world full of challenges,” said Holy Cross Father Atul Palma.

“I was never a good student but I overcame every challenge [to becoming a priest] with the power of prayer,” the 66-year-old priest told the gathering.

The Pope declared a year dedicated to priests from June 19, 2009.

According to “Pratibeshi,” Bangladesh’s only Catholic weekly, there are 351 priests in the country among whom 84 are foreigners. The 2007 Catholic Directory of Bangladesh records about 310,000 Catholics, giving a ratio of roughly one priest for every 900 Catholics.

Christians make up less than 1 percent of the country’s almost 150 million people, 88 percent of whom are Muslims.
Last Updated on Friday, 05 February 2010 08:26
 
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner

Main Menu

Member's Log-In

Forgot your password? Forgot your username? Create an account

Who's Online

We have 9 guests online

VocationsOnline Mail

vocations_email_icon_white.gif

Should you wish to have an e-mail account at VocationsOnLine.Net, please send your desired log-in name to info @ vocationsonline.net 

Banner