Oblate News

COVID-19-Lockdown in Bangladesh: Oblates – Always Close to the People

Fr. Ajit Victor Costa, OMI

St. Peter’s Church, Lama

Covid-19 Pandemic

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, pandemic, Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019, the global-village has gradually been experiencing lockdown. Fighting against and coping with COVID-19, “I was hungry and you gave me to eat” (Matthew 25:35), the experience of Jesus has touched the hearts of millions across the globe! Facing unseen sting of death every moment, many indomitable souls stand by the hungry with a spirit of St. Paul “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

Oblates in Bangladesh

Santi Rani Church, Alikodom

We the Oblates in Bangladesh, spirited by the Charism of St. Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate Congregation, have begun journeying with the needy and the poor. With an Oblately support from Centre Missionnaire Oblat (CMO-Canada), Anglo-Irish Province, and Australian Province, we dispense food items to our needy beloved brothers and sisters. This project is being carried out in three phases in OMI serving parishes: De Mazenod Church, Dhaka Archdiocese, St. Paul’s Church, Rajshahi Diocese, Divine Mercy Church, St. Thomas’s Church, De Mazenod Church, Immaculate Conception Church, Sylhet Diocese, Santi Rani Church and St. Peter’s Church, Chittagong Archdiocese. OMI missions in Bangladesh are among the indigenous peoples, tea-estate labourers and internal-migrants. The first phase is over, the 2nd phase is about to begin and third will be followed by.

Santi Rani Church, Alikodom

COVID-19 has limited us in celebrating the joy, sharing the “Body and Blood of Christ” and liturgy with the people of God. Nevertheless, the sharing of the “gift of God, the fruit of the earth and work of human hands, the existential liturgy” continues among the hungry. Recipients express their gratefulness, “we can have now family meal together,” “we are thankful to God, to the seen and unseen human hands.” We, the Oblates of Bangladesh Delegation, are grateful to our conferrers and mission partners of three Provinces, too. COVID-19 patients are increasing in Bangladesh. A recipient states, “Father, we are worrying for food rather than COVID-19.” The chosen people were fed with “Manna” and Jesus, too, fed the multitude.

Let the wonders of human hands be continued further in days to come!

Divine Mercy Church, Borelekha

Divine Mercy Church, Borelekha