Three Mangalorean Priests Celebrate Golden Priesthood
Photos: Fr Lesly Shenoy
Report Fr Francis Rodrigues, Raknno

Mangalore, Dec 3: Three priests  of the Diocese of Mangalore celebrated the Golden jubilee of their priesthood in the Bishop’s House, Mangalore on the 3rd of December 2009.   Frs Valerian D’Souza, Victor Pinto and Albert Menezes are the Golden Jubilations.

Together with hundreds of priests, Rt Dr Aloysius Paul D’souza, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangalore presided over the Thanksgiving Eucharistic celebrations in the Irmiz of the Bishop’s House.   Rt Dr Henry D’Souza, the Bishop of the Diocese of Bellary preached a meaningful homily on the occasional and greeted the jubilations.  In his greeting and homily he said: ‘As the prices of gold is rising to the heights, gold is becoming a costly and much sought metal.  We have three Golden  and valuable priests in this year of the priests for which we need to be thankful.’

After the Eucharistic celebrations the Bishop of Mangalore greeted the jubilations on behalf of all and thanked them for the priestly service of 50 years.  He approached the uniqueness of each jubilations.  Fr Valerian is known for his leadership and multifarious achievements.  Fr Victor is a deep thinker and writer, has given the psalms and new testament in Konkanni to us through his translations.  Fr Albert is known for his devout and charismatic personality.  Bishop greeted the jubilations with shawls and garlands.  On this occasion Bishop of Mangalore was greeted with a bouquet of flowers by Bishop Henry D’Souza as he completed 44 years of priesthood.

Fr Valerian D’Souza responded on behalf of Jubilations and thanked all the bishops and formatters of Mangalore Diocese who welcomed them into the Diocese, trained and supported throughout their priesthood.  Fr Charles Menezes and his team greeted through songs.  Fr Maxim Noronha, Procurator of the Diocese animated the programme and thanked all.