Thanksgiving day celebration for Venerable S. Ferrando was held at the MSMHC Generalate in Hatigaon on 4 April 2016. It was followed by the announcement of Pope Francis on 3 March, declaring the Servant of God, Bishop Ferrando as Venerable.
The highlight of the occasion was the solemn Eucharistic celebration presided over by Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati, concelebrated by around 25 priests from various parishes and intuitions in Guwahati.
In his homily, Archbishop shared his own experience of being with Bishop Ferrando and described him as a pastor who loved to be with his people. He said, “Bishop Ferrando was a man of prayer and he inspired others to pray. Following his Master Jesus, he led his flock from the front that he was always found going ahead of time to the villages for the celebration of the Holy Mass. He never waited for others to gather and prepare people for the Mass, but had his way of being with them.” Archbishop also said that he was transparent in his demeanour and lived a simple life.
The introduction to the Holy Eucharist by Sr. Jancy Joseph, the Secretary General presented a compilation of the life and mission of Bishop Ferrando and the process of the Cause initiated and carried out by the Congregation and the Church. She acknowledged the great role played by the Postulator, Sr. Philomena Mathew, Superior General along with many others, especially the Salesian Postulator, Don Pierluigi Cameroni SDB in Rome.
The Mass with the melodious singing by the Novices from Mary Immaculate Novitiate, Shillong and the presence of a number of religious from nearby institutions added to the solemnity of the occasion.
After the Holy Eucharist the assembly gathered before the decorated portrait of venerable Stephen Ferrando for a floral tribute. Archbishop John Moolachira offered a bouquet of flower while Fr. Guillermo Basañes, General Councillor for the Salesian Missions and Fr. V.M. Thomas, the Provincial of Salesian Province, Guwahati offered lighted candles. It was followed by floral tribute by Sr. Philomena Mathew, Superior General, major superiors and everyone present.
Sr. Philomena Mathew thanked everyone present for their presence and prayers and invited Fr. Guillermo Basañes to address the gathering. He congratulated the congregation for taking ahead the cause of canonization of Bishop Ferrando with persistent efforts and constant prayers. Presenting a special table cloth prepared by the indigenous people of Paraguay, he reminded Sr. Philomena Mathew about the need to reach out to the people there by opening MSMHC mission centres. Fr. V.M. Thomas also expressed his appreciation to MSMHC for having the founder raised to the rank of the venerable.
