By Tileswar Nayak
Kolkata: The congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (SS.CC.) celebrated the silver jubilee of the religious profession of its members – Subal Francis Nayak and Alexis Nayak on February 25 at their Seminar, Dangadingla, Kolkata.
“I would call these brothers, one a trailblazer, a pioneer, and the other a hard worker with a Golden Heart,” acclaimed by a member of its order.
The highlights of jubilarians’ gathering were high mass and a simple family get-together with all the priests, brothers and a few sisters of the congregation.
Jubilarian Fr. Subal Francis was the main presider of Eucharist celebration. During his homily the priest, in an atmosphere of gratitude and joyfulness expressed, “I had read and reread, life is beautiful but understood and felt it after I joined the Congregation. I have never seen a sad day in the congregation. The congregation and my consecration have enriched my life and made it truly beautiful.”
Fr. Alexis Nayak, the other Jubilarian shared an incident which he termed as a turning point in his life. He said, “in the novitiate, once I decided to discontinue. I met my novice master and expressed my decision.”
However, the novice master whispered to me these words; ‘God has a plan for you’. He asked me to pray. “Prayer and personal reflection were the decisive moment of his life.” Said Fr. Alexis.
As many as 50 guest priests and nuns from the neighbouring communities and Morning Star College- Kolkata gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The Regional Superior of Sacred Hearts’ Brothers, Fr. Tony Ajith Dass, praised the jubilarians. He said, “for the growth of any mission and apostolate two elements are most essential; an efficient administrator and a wild pastor. I found these two elements in full with these two of our priests.”
The congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary is an international congregation of priests, nuns, brothers, secular branch. It is founded in France. Fr. William Petrie, is the first missionary of the Congregation to India. https://www.ssccpicpus.com
Father Subal Francis Nayak and Alexis Nayak are the first Indians to be ordained as Sacred Hearts Priests in the year 2000 and 2002, respectively.
“For me they truly deserve to be the first ones for the congregation in India. Their simplicity, and dedication to the entrusted responsibility is commendable. In my opinion they are men of God and men for mission, said a priest of the congregation.
These two priests are loved and esteemed by the people for their simplicity and commitment to serve God’s people.
A parishioner said, it is impossible to forget them if once one has met them. Their sweet words and gentle behaviour are appreciated by the people with whom they have worked. They have a very noble nature of going out of their way to help people in need.
The jubilee celebration culminated with a brief felicitation program followed by a festive dinner.
Congratulations to the Jubilarians on the anniversary of their religious profession!
Congratulations Father’s Subal and Alexis. I am proud to be your Sister in the Congregation. You do us honor. May you continue to serve God and his people with generosity and zeal. God bless each of you and fructify your ministry. Ad multos Annos!