I reached there in visakhapatnam on 4th night around 9.30 in the house of my friend. They all were very happy to see me there for the ordination. I was sent to the near by adoration monastery, for my accommodation was done there. The sister was waiting for me there and she gave me the key of the room. Yes the room is very neat and clean. But it is very hot there. Because this convent is on a hill. The room is very hot, though I was just under the fan, I was sweating under the fan. The hot wind from fan was more than the heat of the room. Ok , what to do now. I just go to sleep and indeed I slept well because I was quite tired of the long journey.
In the next day I went to visit the near by Mother Teresa home, for the superior is from Kerala and she knows me. I went and gave her invitation for my ordination. I also went to the post office to post some of the invitation.
The ordination was in the evening. There were lot of people. The Arch Bishop and all the deacons came in the car and the program began. It was very long ceremony. The one who was giving commentary was always quoting Bible passages for each everything. The actual program was some what 3 hour and after the ordination it was some 1 and half hour more for felicitation. There was lots of gifts given to the newly ordained priest and then there was a special felicitation for the Bishop also. This bishop is the first priest from this parish itself. So he is the proud of the village. So every time he comes to this village there is a big celebration in his name. there was lots of gifts given to him and there was even a song written in his name. so the dinner was around 10.30. indeed it was nice. But I just can not bear this hot. I was just sweating like, as if I were in the rain. So hot and wet every part of the body.
Next day morning the first Eucharistic celebration of my friend was at 6. 15. But at 6 there was Baptism of his cousin done by him. In the first Eucharist celebration there was also first communion of his another cousin. The mass was not longer. Actually the normal Eucharistic celebration in Andhra is frightening reality for me. It takes long time and long sermons. Thank God it was just one hour and some minutes only. Whole of the day I was just in my room and reading something. I just did not go out, for it is very hot and feels so hot in and out of body. In the evening I just walk around to see the town and just walk around. I bought and gave a piece of cloth for stitching my cassock for my ordination. I left the monastery in the night around 9 and come to my friend's house and am ready for leaving visakhaptnam.
As I come to the railway station, miracle, the train is on time. Wow... miracle by Indian railway- the train is on time. And I come from there to Bombay on time. This would be last time that I come to Vishakaptnam mostly.
In the monastery where I was staying, there were some sisters from Kerala. Yes, in Eluru too we have one branch of this congregation. I used to go to that monastery chapel on Sundays for Eucharistic celebration. The same congregation's one convent is there in Kollam in my home place. Some of the sisters know Kollam. So they were very happy to have in their convent. Though they are contemplative sisters, they were hospitable and loving.
In the next day I went to visit the near by Mother Teresa home, for the superior is from Kerala and she knows me. I went and gave her invitation for my ordination. I also went to the post office to post some of the invitation.
The ordination was in the evening. There were lot of people. The Arch Bishop and all the deacons came in the car and the program began. It was very long ceremony. The one who was giving commentary was always quoting Bible passages for each everything. The actual program was some what 3 hour and after the ordination it was some 1 and half hour more for felicitation. There was lots of gifts given to the newly ordained priest and then there was a special felicitation for the Bishop also. This bishop is the first priest from this parish itself. So he is the proud of the village. So every time he comes to this village there is a big celebration in his name. there was lots of gifts given to him and there was even a song written in his name. so the dinner was around 10.30. indeed it was nice. But I just can not bear this hot. I was just sweating like, as if I were in the rain. So hot and wet every part of the body.
Next day morning the first Eucharistic celebration of my friend was at 6. 15. But at 6 there was Baptism of his cousin done by him. In the first Eucharist celebration there was also first communion of his another cousin. The mass was not longer. Actually the normal Eucharistic celebration in Andhra is frightening reality for me. It takes long time and long sermons. Thank God it was just one hour and some minutes only. Whole of the day I was just in my room and reading something. I just did not go out, for it is very hot and feels so hot in and out of body. In the evening I just walk around to see the town and just walk around. I bought and gave a piece of cloth for stitching my cassock for my ordination. I left the monastery in the night around 9 and come to my friend's house and am ready for leaving visakhaptnam.
As I come to the railway station, miracle, the train is on time. Wow... miracle by Indian railway- the train is on time. And I come from there to Bombay on time. This would be last time that I come to Vishakaptnam mostly.
In the monastery where I was staying, there were some sisters from Kerala. Yes, in Eluru too we have one branch of this congregation. I used to go to that monastery chapel on Sundays for Eucharistic celebration. The same congregation's one convent is there in Kollam in my home place. Some of the sisters know Kollam. So they were very happy to have in their convent. Though they are contemplative sisters, they were hospitable and loving.
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