Parishioners of Our Lady of Salvation Church in Dadar, Mumbai, western India, gathered on August 4 to honor and pray for their parish clergy during a special celebration marking the feast of St. John Mary Vianney, patron saint of parish priests.
Organized by the Parish Pastoral Council, the prayer service brought together the parish community in thanksgiving for the ministry of priests who accompany the faithful in their spiritual journey and serve the Church through preaching, the sacraments, and pastoral care.
The celebration was attended by the parish clergy, Fathers Michael Pinto, Joseph Pimenta, Victor Noronha, and Glasten Gonsalves.
Inspired by the theme from Jeremiah 3:15, "I will give you shepherds after my own heart", the service reflected on the vocation of priests to lead God's people with wisdom, compassion, and understanding.
Speaking during the program, parishioner Prof. Marina Pinto said the Church continues to witness God's promise through the example of St. John Mary Vianney and the dedicated ministry of bishops and priests around the world.
She noted that, within the Archdiocese of Bombay, the commitment and collaborative ministry of priests continue to keep parish communities vibrant and responsive to the needs of the faithful.
The celebration included moments of silent prayer, intercessions for priests, and a litany of blessings led by children, expressing gratitude for the clergy's faithful witness and service.
The parish youth paid tribute to each priest, highlighting their unique contributions to parish life and presenting them with spiritual bouquets and commemorative gifts as a sign of appreciation.
In a moving gesture, parishioners gathered around the priests holding lighted candles while singing the hymn Keep Them, We Pray Thee, Dearest Lord, praying for their strength, holiness, and perseverance in ministry.
The gathering concluded with a blessing imparted by the parish clergy, followed by the singing of Yeshu Hai Saccha Gadariya ("Jesus Is the True Shepherd") and a fellowship reception over cake and coffee.
The celebration reaffirmed the close bond between the clergy and parishioners, encouraging the faithful to continue supporting and praying for their priests while recognizing their indispensable role in the life and mission of the Church.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
Latest News
