The Congregation of Holy Cross in Bangladesh rang in the New Year with great joy, with two priestly ordinations just before the start of 2025. Both are members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province based in Dhaka.
On 30 December 2024, Fr. Sojeeb Silvanus Gomes, C.S.C., was ordained to the priesthood. With his family hailing from the Diocese of Rajshahi, Fr. Gomes was ordained by his bishop, Most Rev. Gervas Rozario, at a Mass on the grounds of Shaktimoti Kumari Maria Catholic Church, Borni. He was ordained along with Fr. Shekhar Francis Costa, who belongs to the diocese.
Fr. Sojeeb was ordained in the presence of his family, members of his Province, including Fr. George K. Rosario, C.S.C., Provincial Superior, over 60 other diocesan and religious priests, and many more religious brothers and sisters. All of them joined in the festive and joyful reception that followed the Mass.
The following day, 31 December, the two newly ordained shared a Mass of Thanksgiving together. It was a time for all the people of the Diocese of Rajshahi to express their gratitude.
Read more about the work of Holy Cross in Bangladesh
The next day, 31 December 2024, Fr. Juliyas Prince Rozario, C.S.C., a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Province, was ordained to the priesthood at St. Nicholas’ Church, Nagari. The Most Rev. Bijoy N. D’Cruze, OMI, Archbishop of Dhaka, was the ordaining bishop. Also ordained with Fr. Rozario was Fr. Sunny Costa, SJ, who is from the same parish.
Preceding the ordination were several days of prayer and celebration, including a parade welcoming Fr. Rozario to the village, a time of Eucharistic Adoration, and the other traditional prayers and ceremonies.
In addition to many members of the parish and village, the Ordination Mass on 31 December was attended by a large number of priests, brothers, and sisters from the archdiocese and various congregations. Among them were seminarian Méo Labossière, C.S.C., Fr. Thomas Gomes, C.S.C., and Br. Planard Corraya, C.S.C., who were representing the Congregation’s Canadian Province where Fr. Rozario completed his initial formation and is currently assigned.
Read more about Holy Cross Ordinations Around the World
In the reception program, Fr. Rozario and others thanked the newly ordained Fr. Rozario for his perseverance in his missionary vocation and his family for supporting him.
The next day, 1 January 2025, Fr. Rozario and Fr. Costa celebrated together a Mass of Thanksgiving in the parish. The villagers organized another reception, this time at the home of Fr. Rozario, to continue the celebration and thanksgiving.
Following his home visit in Bangladesh, Fr. Rozario will return to Canada to continue his ministry there. He will celebrate a “First Mass of Thanksgiving” at Saint-Laurent Parish on Sunday, 23 February.