The Pastoral Year (Transition into Ministry) is a significant period of formation following priestly ordination in the 3 Units of India. Its purpose is to assist newly ordained Redemptorist priests in entering fully into the life and apostolate of their Unit, Conference, and the Congregation (cf. RFG 145).
Four young confreres of the Vice Province of Majella — Frs. Thomas, Sebastian, Vivek, and Jackson — recently completed their Pastoral Year (Transition into Ministry) in Bengaluru (Bangalore). They were guided during this important time of formation by three confreres of the Bangalore Province, Frs. George Puthenpura, Juventius Andrade, and Louis Christopher. The entire program lasts nearly a year and throughout this year, they were trained in essential pastoral skills such as preparing and delivering homilies, mission sermons and preaching popular missions, and conducting retreats for various groups of people and conferences. In addition, they participated in a series of courses on parish ministry, counselling, etc led by experienced professors on topics integral to their future priestly ministry as Redemptorist Missionaries.
At the conclusion of their Pastoral Year, these four Redemptorist Missionaries were officially commissioned with each of them receiving their Redemptorist Missionary Crucifix and Bible on 27th April 2025, during the Sunday morning Eucharist at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Chembur, Mumbai. The confreres of the Chembur community concelebrated at the Mass, and the faithful united in prayer for our newly commissioned confreres.
We give thanks to God for the gift of these four young Redemptorist Missionaries and entrust them to the intercession of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, that they may be faithful and zealous witnesses of the Redeemer, proclaiming His mercy by their words and the example of their lives.
Fr. Henry Fernandes, CSsR
Vice Provincial Superior
Vice Province of Majella, India
