BANGALORE, SEP. 11: “Do not hesitate to make a spiritual journey inwardly. While appreciating the precious gift of vocation to priesthood, both priests and seminarians should not be afraid of an inward journey which will help to assess one’s strengths and weaknesses with God’s grace”, declared Bishop Henry D’Souza.
Bishop D’Souza was addressing a group of priests and seminarians from the Bellary Diocese, some of whom are members of the teaching faculty, some pursuing higher studies in theology and the seminarians preparing for priesthood at the St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore on September 10.
Reflecting on the liturgical readings from the Holy Bible used at the Holy Mass, Bishop D’Souza urged the priests and seminarians to emulate St. Paul who writing to Timothy admitted, “Once I was a blasphemer, persecutor and insulter”; it was only because of God’s calling, he “became an Apostle”.
Reminding the words of the Gospel, “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, while forgetting the log in your own”, the Bishop urged priests and seminarians to lead a more authentic life in love and service.
Fr. John S. Peter, Fr. Vijay Kumar, Fr. Jayaraj, Fr. P. V. Anthony, Brothers – Sunil, Anand, Anand Prasad, Mariswamy, Vijayraj, Amalraj, Martin, Chinnappa, Chowrappa, Paul and Sunil participated in the concelebrated Eucharist with Bishop D’Souza.
Bishop D’Souza also briefed the priests and the seminarians on the latest developments and the ongoing programmes of the Diocese.
The Shrine of Bellary Arogya Mathe was blessed and dedicated on 8th September 2000 on the feast of the Nativity of our Blessed Mother Mary in memory of the great jubilee 2000 and the Golden Jubilee of the Diocese of Bellary