Rev. Fr. Jerome Pinto, the Vicar General of Catholic Archdiocese of Nagpur, Member of the Governing Body of St. Charles Education Society and Spiritual Director of St. Charles Seminary, celebrated his 50th year of Priesthood with Carolian Family on 24th October 2021.
Golden jubilee of priesthood is always an occasion of thanksgiving and celebration and indeed it was a happy moment for the St. Charles Seminary to rejoice as an ex-carolian was completing 50 years of his priestly ministry in the vineyard of the Lord in the person of Rev. Fr. Jerome Pinto. Incidentally, there was a Jubilee celebration with the archbishop, priests, religious and faithful on 23 October, at the SFS Cathedral. At St. Charles Seminary, his Alma mater, we had a Solemn Concelebrated Eucharist with the staff, students and the family guests of Fr. Jerome.
Rev. Fr. John Paul OP, the vice rector, welcomed the gathering and invited the congregation to pray for Golden Jubilarian. Thereafter Fr. Jerome shared a few moments of his lived experience in the seminary from 1958 as a student, a seminarian and as a priest. He encouraged the young seminarians to dream high but keep their feet on the ground and become priests after the heart of Jesus. In his homily Rev. Fr. Aquin Noronha, the Rector of the Seminary beautifully exhorted the qualities of an exemplary priest reflecting on Pope Francis’ ‘Seven pillars of priesthood’ connecting each pillar to the priestly life of Fr. Jerome. The carolian choir, with their mellifluous voice, kept the congregation in the spirit of prayer. Fr. Jerome humbly acknowledged his indebtedness to the MSFS and Dominican fathers who accompanied him during the years of formation in St. Charles Seminary. He also thanked the present rector, staff and students for organizing this celebration.
Soon after the Mass there was the felicitation held in the Seminary mini auditorium and on behalf of the carolian family Fr. Rector congratulated Fr. Jerome, by presenting a shawl and bouquet. As the choir sang jubilation song, Fr. Jerome shared his golden moments by cutting the anniversary cake, and Fr. John Paul presented a gift on this memorable occasion. Fr. Jerome thanked everyone and prayed the grace over meals. Dn. Sarojit Mandal was the master of ceremony for the felicitation.
Fr. Jerome currently resides in St. Charles Seminary and he renders his service as spiritual director and professor. Fifty years of priestly service is the grace of the Lord, and we thank God for having gifted us with such an exemplary priest to imitate. We pray that God may bless him many more years of fruitful service, good health of mind and body, and a peace and joy everyday of his life.
