BANGLADESH

Fr. Cornelius NGOKA, the 1st Assistant General, paid a visit to the Oblate Delegation of Bangladesh from October 15-25, 2019. From the moment of his arrival, he began immersing himself in the milieu of Oblate life in Bangladesh. His presence and visits to our mission centres were indeed inspiring and encouraging.

Although he had to follow a very rigorous schedule, Fr. Cornelius did not forget to spend some quality time with his Oblate Confreres in Bangladesh wherever he visited. During his stay, he also participated in some of the events organized by the Oblates. Among them were the celebration of the silver jubilee of religious vows of Fathers. Ranjit COSTA and Kajal GOMES, and the Solemn Mass with Most Rev. Bejoy D’CRUZE that marked the celebration of the Extra Ordinary Missionary Month. Formators and formandi of the Delegation also had meetings with him, at the Oblate Juniorate and at the Scholasticate. They were certainly enlightened and inspired by his sharing.

Accompanied by Fr. Ajit COSTA, the Delegation Superior, Fr. Cornelius was taken to Oblate missions among the indigenous, tea-estate communities, internal migrants, and those people in the peripheries. In other words, he had a firsthand experience of the “sheep” whom their “Oblate shepherds” take care of.

  • De Mazenod Girja, Dhaka;
  • Divine Mercy Parish, Borlekha;
  • John Paul II High School, Borlekha;
  • Boy’s and Girl’s Hostel, Borlekha;
  • Immaculate Conception Parish, Lokhipur;
  • Megatila: a Khashi Village, Lokhipur;
  • Boy’s and Girl’s Hostel, Lokhipur;
  • De Mazenod Church, Khadim;
  • Kalagul Tea-estate Primary school, Khadim;
  • Lubacherra Tea-estate, Khadim;
  • Thomas’ Church, Mugaipar;
  • Narantola Mission High School, Mugaipar;

“Visiting the Oblate Missions amongst the indigenous peoples and the Tea Garden workers was a very moving experience for me, especially seeing the joy and the enthusiasm of these thousands of children, young boys and girls, who have the opportunity to go to school thanks to the presence and the commitment of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. One of the village leaders told me that it was because of the opportunity given to her by the Missionary Oblates to go to school, to receive good education and to grow in her Christian faith, that she could  serve her people with courage and help the younger ones to have a future” , said Fr. Cornelius after returning to Rome.

The Oblates in Bangladesh extend a special thanks to Fr. Cornelius for his encouraging visit, which meant a lot to this growing OMI Delegation.