GUWAHATI
A practical skill learned in youth can become a powerful instrument of evangelization when placed at the service of God, veteran retreat preacher Father Francis Fernandez SVD , told priests serving across the Archdiocese of Guwahati during their monthly recollection joined by Archbishop John Moolachira.
Drawing from his own life, the Divine Word Priest Father Fernandez recalled how a skill he acquired as a barber in his younger years taught him patience, attentive listening, and the ability to build trust with people from different walks of life. Those same qualities, he said, later became valuable tools in his priestly ministry, helping him accompany people, listen to their stories, and witness to Christ through personal encounters.
“The question is not what we do, but whether we do it as a mission flowing from our relationship with Christ,” he said.
The recollection held on June 2, 2026 at the Guwahati Archbishop's House, focused on the theme of becoming authentic witnesses of Christ through a deep personal relationship with Him. Reflecting on Ephesians 1:3–8, Father Fernandez reminded the priests that they were chosen by God “before the foundation of the world” and called to be holy, blameless, and faithful witnesses of the Gospel.
Sharing experiences from his vocational journey, the SVD missionary contrasted two models of priesthood. He recalled a priest whose compassion, warmth, attentive listening, and prayerful celebration of the Eucharist inspired faith and drew people closer to God. In contrast, he described another whose ministry became marked by division and excessive focus on material accomplishments.
Fr. Fernandez emphasized that priesthood is not merely about carrying out responsibilities but about reflecting the person of Jesus in everyday life and ministry. Referring to Christ’s call to discipleship, he highlighted three essential dimensions of priestly life: self-denial, carrying one’s cross, and faithfully following Christ.
“We are called to follow Jesus, not factions, groups, or personal interests. When the focus shifts away from Christ, the purpose of ministry is lost,” he noted.
The veteran retreat preacher repeatedly stressed that people remember priests not primarily for their achievements but for the witness of their lives. He urged the clergy to make Christ visible through compassion, service, and authentic relationships.
Using the image of a broken statue carefully restored piece by piece, FatherFernandez described the priest’s mission as helping restore broken lives, wounded relationships, and fractured communities.
Recalling an incident from his early years in ministry in Mumbai, he spoke of a badly damaged statue that many considered beyond repair. Instead of discarding the statue, a senior priest patiently spent weeks reassembling its broken fragments until it appeared even more beautiful than before. Drawing a parallel with pastoral ministry, the Bolivia returned priest Father Fernandez said priests are called not to give up on people wounded by failure, suffering, or broken relationships, but to accompany them patiently and help them rediscover their dignity and wholeness in Christ.
“Our mission is not to discard broken people but to patiently help restore them,” he said.
Reflecting on Romans 12:1–2, he encouraged the priests to offer themselves daily as “living sacrifices” and resist conformity to worldly standards. He cautioned against measuring success through status, influence, comfort, or material achievements, calling instead for continual spiritual renewal and conversion.
Illustrating the point with a touch of humour, FatherFernandez recounted the story of a woman who frequently complained about her abusive husband. Following the advice of a priest, the couple attended retreats and prayer programmes. When later asked whether the retreats had changed her husband, she jokingly replied that he continued to behave much the same, except that after every slap he now said, “Hallelujah!” The story drew laughter from the gathering while underscoring a serious message: spiritual programmes have little value unless they result in genuine conversion and change of heart.
He further reminded the gathering that recollections, retreats, and prayer services bear fruit only when they lead to genuine transformation in daily life.
Concluding his reflection, Fr. Fernandez urged the priests to cultivate a deep personal experience of God through prayer, Eucharistic devotion, and regular self-examination.
“When we have a deep experience of God, our thinking changes, our relationships change, and our ministry becomes a true witness to Christ,” he said.
The monthly recollection brought together Archbishop John Moolachira and priests serving in parishes and institutions across the Archdiocese of Guwahati for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal, reaffirming their commitment to serve as shepherds and authentic witnesses of the Gospel in Northeast India.