The priests of the Catholic Diocese of Hpa-An gathered in a spirit of thanksgiving and reflection on Wednesday, July 9th, to celebrate a special Jubilee of the Priests dedicated to their ministry.

The observance, held at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, brought together the diocese’s two bishops and 21 priests.

The day commenced with Morning Prayer and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, followed by a solemn Holy Eucharistic Celebration.

His Excellency Bishop Justin Saw Min Theid of Hpa-An Diocese presided over the Jubilee Mass. He was joined at the altar by the diocese’s Coadjutor Bishop Stanislaus Min Ko, and His Excellency Bishop Francis Than Htun, Auxiliary Bishop of Yangon Archdiocese, who also delivered the homily and a subsequent talk.

Gratitude and Remembrance

Rev. Fr. Ignatius Nyar Htoo, Vicar General of Hpa-An Diocese, set the tone in his opening remarks.

He emphasized that the priests assembled “to give thanks to the Lord for all the graces they have received from the day they have been called as priests throughout their priestly service.”

Fr. Nyar Htoo underscored that their priesthood stemmed not from personal worthiness, cleverness, or abilities, but solely from “the love, compassion, and special divine call” of God.

The celebration also served as a poignant remembrance. Fr. Nyar Htoo noted that July 9th marked the fourth death anniversary of the diocese’s former Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Martinus Myint Soe.

The Mass also honored the memory of other departed priests, including Rev. Fr. Eugene Nay Htoo and Rev. Fr. Paschal Tha Lun. The congregation prayed for all priests – past and present – who administer sacraments, offer guidance, and serve the faithful, including those facing illness or depression.

Finding Jubilee in Hope Amidst Hardship

In his homily, Bishop Francis Than Htun delved into the profound meaning of Jubilee, particularly relevant in Myanmar’s challenging context.

Quoting Msgr. Andrea Ferrante, Chargé d’ Affaires, the bishop explained that the essence of Jubilee, guided by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Father, transcends celebration.

While acknowledging the simplicity of gathering for prayer, Eucharist, and fellowship, Bishop Francis posed a deeper question: “How can we celebrate the Jubilee where the Churches are destroyed, where there is no Bishop or Priest in the missionary territories, where there is enmity, conflicts, and the situation is hard?”

He relayed the message that the Jubilee calls the faithful to “proclaim the goodness of the Lord every day,” celebrating daily life with God’s grace and moving forward in hope. “This is the essence of the Jubilee,” Bishop Francis stated.

He stressed that the Jubilee celebration isn’t confined to churches or cathedrals: “Although there may be no Church, we can praise and thank God in the fields or under the trees or elsewhere… We can profess the Goodness of the Lord even amid the difficulties.”

Connecting this to the Jubilee Year theme chosen by Pope Francis, “PILGRIMS OF HOPE,” the bishop linked it to global and local trials – the COVID-19 pandemic, economic hardship, wars, and natural disasters – underscoring the Holy Father’s call to learn “how to live in hope.”

Reflecting on priestly vocation, Bishop Francis highlighted the “Three Cs”: the divine Call received in simple circumstances, the Challenges encountered, and the ultimate Crown bestowed by God.

Living the Legacy: Laudato Si’ in Action

Following the Eucharistic Celebration, Bishop Francis Than Htun addressed the priests directly in a talk session.

He focused on the spirituality of the late Pope Francis, emphasizing key themes: kindness, mercy, compassion, care for creation, care for the poor and internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the pursuit of peace and justice.

Putting the call for ecological conversion into practice, the Jubilee observance culminated in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony.

At 2:00 PM, the bishops and priests traveled to a 2-acre diocesan plot of land in Myaing-Kalay, approximately 3 miles from Hpa-An.

There, they planted around 150 fruit saplings, including durian, mango, mangosteen (mingut), lime, coconut, jackfruit, and rambutan. This act served as a lasting, tangible symbol of the Jubilee of the Priests and a direct response to the late Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, calling for care of our common home.

By RVA Sgaw Karen Service