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| Friends (Left-Right): Tony Wilson D'Costa, Philip Tushar Gomes and Rock Ronald Rozario on Holy Cassock Day at Holy Spirit National Major Seminary in Banani, Dhaka on 11 April, 2015. |
“If
your friendship lasts longer than 7 years, you are no longer just friends. You
are family”—is one of the most memorable friendship quotes. It has been more
than ten years I have met and been in a friendly relationship with Philip
Tushar Gomes, a wonderful man who decided to give up all worldly pleasures for
love of God and God’s people for the rest of his life. He could have a life of
his own and enjoy all the comforts that today’s extremely globalized, materialistic
and consumerist modern world can offer. But by embracing ‘eternal priesthood’
Philip has made an extraordinary choice—to live a life in the service of God
and His people.
More
than a decade ago, I met a bunch of energetic, dedicated and witty youth
activists when I joined Episcopal Commission for Youth as a member of the
Executive Committee including Philip Tushar Gomes, Tony Wilson D’Costa and Lawrence
Dipankar Gomes from Dhaka, Manik D’Costa and Clifton Gomes from Chittagong, Sony
Ratna from Khulna and Pius Nanuar from Sylhet. From 1999-2007, I was a priesthood
candidate myself and spent years in three diocesan seminaries in Dhaka. My time
in the youth ministry became worthwhile and a learning experience because of
these friendly people I met and worked with.
We
worked together to organize dozens of youth programs from 2009-2013 and prominent
among them were National Youth Days in Biroidakuni, Mymensingh (2009), Rajshahi
(2010) and Kewachala, Gazipur (2011). We worked hard with dedication and qualitative
approach to encourage and motivate young Catholics to get out of “old boxes”—the
conventional way of looking at Catholic Church’s youth programs and activities,
and to get new ideas to become “salt and light” in the family, the society and
the Church in truest sense. It was a difficult task indeed, but we succeeded at
least to some extent to steer away young people from their perceived notions
about such programs as excursions or picnics, but to help them consider these both
as pilgrimages of faith and celebrations of life. During our time together in between
tiring programs and in personal arena, we spent some wonderful moments, and we shared
our joys and sorrows, hope and despair and most of all we shared our lives together.
We all had struggling periods but we grew up and moved ahead in life through
encouraging and inspiring each other. Among us Philip triggered in us a plenty
of laughter through cracking funniest and wittiest jokes we never heard before
every time we met. He was like a fresh splash of rain in the drought-hit earth.
From
2008-2011, Philip was involved with Youth Commission of Dhaka Archdiocese as an
animator and a leader, and his engagement in the youth ministry not only
enriched young Catholics but also broadened his worldview about meaning and purpose
of life. So, his decision to join Holy Spirit National Seminary as a candidate for
priesthood in 2012 was not just surprising but a delightful choice. Most of our
friends from the band of youth activists appreciated the great decision and encouraged
him to go ahead with his dream. So, Philip became the only friend to abandon a worldly
life for a divine life called priesthood. We have been proud of him and we
continue to take great pride that our friend has embraced the royal and enteral
priesthood. Although, our busy personal life since leaving behind youth
ministry and Philip’s priestly formation studies barred us to get in touch personally
and physically since then, but we have never forgotten each other. We might have
been “out of sight” but never “out of mind.” Sporadically we met but we prayed
for the best of each other regularly. Our bonding remains as strong as the
castle of hard rock that can withstand any storm and trouble in the days to
come.
Father
Philip Tushar Gomes is a golden son of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Bakshanagar (a sub-parish) of Dhaka, where I made memorable visits on several occasions during my stay (1999-2001)
at Little Flower Minor Seminary of Bandura, not far from the area. The area is
part of Atharogram Region of Dhaka Archdiocese, one of the oldest Catholic Christian
settlements in Bangladesh. Once the region was a fertile land for priestly and
religious vocation, but in modern times economic prosperity in the area have
made drastic and negative impacts in the vocation scenario. People have become
rich but families got smaller, and though people are still religious minded,
but a lavish lifestyle discourages young generation of Catholics from
dedicating their lives for religious vocation. Philip is one of the few
exceptions against this backdrop.
Although
Philip responded to God’s calling for priestly ministry little late, but it was
bold and firm from the beginning to today. There are people who enter priestly
and religious life for their personal vested interests, but as we know Philip,
he is here to serve without expecting anything in return. Priesthood is an extraordinary
life and by embracing it for once and all, Philip offers himself—the best and
wonderful gift he has received from God. May his life of service, following
footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ, becomes a touchstone and enrich lives of numerous
sons and daughters of God he would come across in the days to come.
END
N.B. This article first appeared in the Ordination Souvenir Magazine of Father Philip Tushar Gomes, published on Jan. 3, 2019
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