On the feast of St. Francis de Sales, 24th January, the South-East India Province gathered in deep gratitude to celebrate the feast of our Patron, the Golden Jubilee of Fr. Kootinal George and the Silver Jubilee of Fr. S. Deivasakayaraj, Fr. A. Joseph Amal Raj and Fr. C. Sebastian Robert. The solemn Eucharist presided over by Fr. Kootinal George, was a moment of thanksgiving for their unwavering commitment to priesthood and mission. Fr. A. Patrick Jayaraj, the Provincial, warmly welcomed the priests, religious, and faithful, expressing his honest appreciation for the jubilarians’ service to the Church and the MSFS Congregation. He also utilized the occasion to share with the guests some of the profound thoughts on St. Francis de Sales. Fr. S. Deivasakayaraj, in his homily, beautifully reflected on the sacredness of priesthood and the missionary mandate entrusted to us.
Following the Eucharist, a felicitation ceremony was held to honour the jubilarians, recognizing their dedicated service in our esteemed Congregation. The celebration was further enriched by vibrant cultural performances by SFS School children from Sendurai and Kunnathur (CBSE) and our Minor Seminarians from Pudukkottai.
During the felicitation, two devotional songs in honour of our Patron and Founder were released. Hearty congratulations to Rev. Fr. Santhiyagu for his initiatives. The presence of priests, religious sisters, family members and confreres from various provinces made the occasion even more special, as they extended their heartfelt congratulations and prayers. The success of this event was ensured by the Organizing Committee: Fr. Alphonse (Convenor), Fr. Nayaga Seelan, Fr. D. Jaya Kumar and Fr. Naveen with the support of the Provincialate community. This Jubilee Celebration was a profound testament to the faithfulness, perseverance, and missionary dedication of our jubilarians. Ad Multos Annos!