A Tribute to Vocation: Consecrated Day Celebrated at Our Lady of Good Health Church, Salem

Salem, January 28, 2025 – Consecrated Day was celebrated with great solemnity at Our Lady of Good Health Church, Udayapatty, Salem, on January 26, 2025. The event witnessed the active participation of six religious congregations—SMMI Provincialate, St. Anne’s of Trichy Sisters, Holy Cross Brothers, MSFS Fathers, CIC Sisters, and Good Shepherd Sisters—and three formation houses (SMMI, Holy Cross, and MSFS).

The celebration, organized by the religious of the parish, centered around a Solemn Eucharist that highlighted the collective witness of each vocation. The Parish Priest expressed his gratitude to all the religious for their invaluable contributions to the parish's growth and their journey as pilgrims of hope alongside the faithful. During his address, he emphasized the challenges faced by religious life in the modern world and urged the congregations to nurture their spiritual lives with renewed vigor.

Very Rev. Fr. Johnson Gonsalves MSFS, the Provincial Superior of Pune Province, was one of the concelebrants at the Eucharist. He praised the parish team for organizing such a unique and meaningful celebration, which served to thank God for the gift of vocations, promote the life of the religious, and inspire others to consider religious life.

In a heartfelt gesture, the parish council, on behalf of the parishioners, felicitated the religious with poetic tributes, acknowledging their selfless service and dedication to the community. The religious, in turn, thanked the Parish Priest for his efforts in organizing this special event, which not only honored their vocation but also deepened the bond between the religious and the laity.

The celebration was a profound testament to the vibrant faith and unity within the parish, leaving a lasting impression on all who participated.

By Fr. Austin Joy MSFS