The Archdiocesan Seminary St. Pius X Goregaon entered its Diamond Jubilee year on the 5th of October 2019. The celebration of the of the Diamond Jubilee commenced with an inaugural Eucharist celebrated by His Eminence Oswald Cardinal Gracias and concelebrating Bishops all of whom were students of the Seminary or Professors. At the Eucharist, Cardinal Gracias sounded a clarion call for the Church in Mumbai to recognise the context of the times we live in – politically, economically, sociologically, culturally and ideologically – so that it can effectively evangelise the Good News and the Story of Jesus to all God’s children. In his homily, the Cardinal reminded the congregation that the Church exists to evangelise, but what does ‘evangelisation’ mean for us today in India, in Mumbai in 2019? The question is ‘How do we understand, live and proclaim the Gospel in this context’?
Cardinal Gracias urged the faithful and clergy to revisit what is probably the best church document on Evangelisation – ‘Evangelii Nuntiandi’ - Pope Saint Paul VI’s apostolic exhortation on Catholic Evangelisation.
His Eminence thanked and praised God for the gift of the founding father of the Seminary, Cardinal Valerian Gracias of happy memory, his collaborators, advisors, those who constructed the magnificent edifice and those who continued this beautiful institution. He also thanked the Jesuits for taking charge and moulding the Seminary during its fledgling years, and also all the rectors and professors, past and present, laity and clergy, who have contributed towards the building of the ethos of St Pius X Seminary. The Eucharistic Celebration ended with a blessing of the Congregation with the Relic of St. Pope Paul VI.
The Eucharist was followed by an engaging Panel discussion on “The Priesthood Today: Challenges and Opportunities”. The panelists were Royston Braganza, CEO, Grameen, Fr Frazer Mascarenhas SJ, former Principal, St Xavier’s College, Fr Victor Ferrao, Professor of Philosophy, Rachol Seminary, Goa and Teesta Setalvad, renowned Civil Rights activist, journalist and Secretary – Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP). Responding to the Cardinal’s call to situate evangelisation in the context of the 21st century, all four panelists spoke on different challenges facing the Catholic Church, and its priests and laity today, because of headwinds in politics, economics, education and social upheaval. They challenged the audience to break away from the ‘business as usual’ mentality, and engage with the larger picture, going beyond the ‘Christian’ viewpoint.
Adapted from 'The Examiner'
Pics: Vadin Gear and St Pius X College, Mumbai