A year ago, on this very day I was the centre of attraction, if put it in a very simple term, as I was being ordained. For many it was a big occasion. My parents, relatives, near and dear ones wanted to celebrate the occasion. I allowed them to do whatever they wanted to do.
A year after, today I asked myself, ‘am I happy as a priest?
Have I made a good decision a year ago? The simple answered came to me
immediately is - YES. The ‘YES’ which I said to the Society of Jesus in 2002, I
continue to say till today.
One year as priest was not always ‘bed of roses.’ I vividly
remember just after my ordination a young lady telling me, ‘I do not look at
the priests anymore. They are all sinners.’ I did not have any answer to give
her. She had her own reason to tell me that. I just smiled at her. I remember
another elderly man telling me, ‘if you are not capable of doing any work just
get ordained. You will enjoy to the core.’ These comments definitely made me
sad.
But these moments of sadness were nothing compare to all the
blessings I received as priest. The hours after hours, I spent at the
confession, gave me much joy and consolation. I remember a particular
gentleman, who mad confession after 16 years, was crying during confession and
hugged me at the end of the confession. I remember another young boy, ‘who is
known as a spoilt boy’ touched my feet and wept at the end of the confession. I
remember offering four/five masses in a day and feeling exhausted at the end of
the day. I remember receiving a call around midnight to visit and bless a dying
man. I remember taking Holy Communion to a sick lady who waited to receive
Christ for months. There were moments when people trusted me and made me feel
that I am one of them. All these happened to me because I am a Priest. These
were moments which I will never forget. These were moments which help me to go
forward. And I thank God, for my
vocation to the Priesthood. My priesthood is the precious gift I have directly
receive from God.
