Bangladeshi tribal becomes PIME missionary: The first in history
Rajshahi (AsiaNews) - I "surrendered to Jesus Christ to serve the poor and the glory of God with my love”, says Fr. Dominic Monto Hasda, the first tribal Santhal in history to become a priest of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Bangladesh.
The ordination ceremony was held on 7 August in the Cathedral of Rajshahi dedicated to Christ the Redeemer, his native parish. Mass was celebrated by the local bishop Msgr. Gervas Rozario, involving 55 priests, nuns and some 1000 faithful. "I am pleased that a local young man has become a PIME priest - said the bishop. “So far we have enjoyed the service of the missionaries here, now our people will go abroad to preach the Gospel. "
"My grandfather - Fr. Dominic tells AsiaNews - was not a Christian. My parents were the first ones to welcome Jesus Christ as their savior. Since my childhood I have seen the incredible contribution of the PIME priests and nuns in our region. Their way of life made me want to immediately be a PIME missionary. "
As a young student Dominic studied nursing at a state hospital in Rajshahi. He worked there for a year because the third of nine children, his salary was needed at home. However, his parents did not hinder his decision to pursue his religious vocation. "Without the support of my parents - said Fr. Dominic - I could not have become a priest. I am grateful to them. "
In his vocational journey, Fr. Dominic owes much to "Fr. Paolo Ciceri, whom I mention in a special way. He was my pastor for a long time. He was very kind - continues the newly ordained priest - ready to listen, to give good advice and he is a good administrator. His humility attracted me very much: I like his spiritual life. I wanted to be like him. "
The first PIME missionaries arrived in the region of Rajshahi in 1904. They began to proclaim the gospel and immediately found fertile ground among the local people. Now the diocese has 35 thousand faithful from different ethnic groups. Bangladesh is currently home to 24 PIME missionaries, mostly from Italy.
The work of Fr. Ciceri and PIME missionaries “planted the seed of a religious vocation within us, the local people. We accepted their values - say Fr. Dominic - and we were overcome by their life full of ideals. Now many local young people are becoming PIME missionaries, we are the fruit of their labour".
The young priest said that nine people (two in Monza and seven in Bngladesh) are studying to become priests with PIME. Moreover, a good number of local girls have become PIME nuns. According to Fr. Dominic, what is most striking about the missionaries "their selfless love, their commitment to the parishioners, their humble behavior".
Fr. Dominic will leave in January 2016 to begin his own mission in Papua New Guinea
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