MINISTERS OF THE WORD AND THE ALTAR

The worldwide celebrations on 4 August in honor of St. John Marie Vianney, the patron of priests took on added significance in Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong where 52 clerics took another step in their proximate journey to the priesthood. At the solemn Feast Day eucharist presided over by Rev. Fr. Francesco Cereda, General Councillor for Formation, 26 brothers received the ministry of lector and another 26 were instituted into the ministry of acolyte. They hail from 9 of the 10 Indian provinces, from the vice- provinces of Myanmar and Sri Lanka, with a few belonging to some of the other congregations studying in the college.

In his homily, Fr. Cereda exhorted the young clerics to root themselves in the Word and the Eucharist in preparation for their priestly ministry. Cls. Pratap Damor and George Dabre from the Mumbai province were among those who received the ministry of lector.

This important celebration was preceded by the annual spiritual retreat animated by Fr. Tom Polackal, the Spiritual Father of the community, who led the students to reflect more deeply on their experience of God and their call to ministry. Our prayers continue for all these young men as they move forward in their vocational journey preparing themselves to be dedicated ministers in the Lord's vineyard.