Mumbai Seminarians Reflect on Human Dignity and Trust during Marian Pilgrimage

Staff and seminarians of St. Pius X Seminary in Goregaon, Mumbai, western India, gathered for the Eucharist on September 16 during the octave of the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount, reflecting on human dignity, trust in God and the call to priestly vocation.

More than 20 seminary professors concelebrated the Eucharist with Fr. Michael D’Cunha, who presided at the celebration and delivered the homily.

The Mass was part of the seminary’s annual walking pilgrimage to Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra, a suburb of Mumbai. Each year, seminarians walk from St. Pius X Seminary in Goregaon to the basilica as an expression of thanksgiving to Mary and a prayer for priestly vocations in the Archdiocese of Bombay.

Reflecting on the novena theme and the message of Magnifica Humanitas, Fr. D’Cunha invited the seminarians and faithful to return to Scripture and consider not only what they accomplish but who they are before God.

“I can achieve a number of things, but whether I achieve or I don’t achieve, nothing changes the fact that I am created in the image and likeness of God. Nothing takes away from that fact,” he said.

Reflecting on the Annunciation, Fr. D’Cunha said Mary’s greatness was shown not because she understood everything God was asking of her, but because she trusted God without knowing how his plan would unfold.

Mary, a young woman from Nazareth, asked how she could become the mother of the Savior after receiving the angel’s message. Although she did not fully understand what lay ahead, she entrusted herself to God.

“Mary doesn’t know the future, but she is willing to place the future in the hands of a loving God,” he said, drawing a parallel with the uncertainties encountered by priests and seminarians.

Fr. D’Cunha highlighted three themes from the readings: the sacred dignity of every person created in God’s image and likeness; God’s presence with his people in times of difficulty; and the call to trust God even when his plans are not fully understood.

He also reflected on a world increasingly shaped by efficiency, technology and artificial intelligence. While technology can perform many tasks quickly, he said, Christians were called to recognize the dignity and sacredness of every human person.

“In the context of artificial intelligence, we are called to look at our basic human intelligence, surrendering our lives into the hands of the Intelligent One,” he said.

Fr. Gilbert, rector of St. Pius X Seminary, thanked those who took part in the Eucharist and encouraged families to support young men considering the priesthood. He said the Archdiocese of Bombay currently has 28 seminarians preparing for priesthood.

For the seminarians, the pilgrimage also provided an opportunity to deepen their prayer and reflect on their vocation.

Br. Akilesh Paul described the walk as “an act of thanksgiving to Mama Mary, who protects us each and every day.”

Br. Annel Anthony said beginning the pilgrimage at 2:15 a.m., praying the Rosary and singing Marian hymns transformed the physical effort into a spiritual experience. “Through her, the journey became a deep communion with Jesus,” he said.

“It was really a good experience to walk with and towards Mary,” said Br. Paul.

Br. Aldin Koli described the pilgrimage as physically tiring but spiritually meaningful, giving him time to pray, reflect and entrust his intentions to God.

“With every step, I felt that I was walking not only towards Mount Mary Church but also closer to God,” he said.

The pilgrimage concluded at Mount Mary Basilica, where the seminarians entrusted their vocation, the Church and their intentions to Mary, seeking to grow in faith, trust and readiness to serve.