Fr Henry makes his Final Profession

Life is about songs and promises, those we sing and do not sing those we keep and do not keep. And out of the songs and promises of life we carve out our own unique existence in the world. Fr Henry sang this song and made his promise to the Lord in the Society of Jesus and we joined him in singing -“Take Lord Receive.”

St Ignatius puts the following criteria for men to be incorporated into the Society: Men outstanding in the following of Christ; men outstanding in virtue, who have sound judgment and prudence in action, who humbly accepts correction and strives to correct himself, who is driven by love and who has complete availability and mobility for mission and ministries of the Society.

Our life as religious is like a grindstone and whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on the stuff we are made of. Fr Henry has been rooted in Christ’s love and has been ground in the crucible of the suffering of the poor. It was a blissful occasion to witness his Final Profession. Fr Francis Serrao, our much-loved Provincial, presided over the Eucharist and received the Vows. Fr Freddie D’Silva preached an inspiring homily while Fr Melwyn Pinto (Senior) raised the toast on this auspicious occasion. The presence of Jesuits from all over the Province together with Fr Henry’s mother, brother, sisters and relatives, in the company of the staff from all the Loyola Institutions with our benefactors and well wishers joined Fr Henry in making this day a cherishing and memorable one.