Thanksgiving Mass for the 50th Anniversary of the Religious Life of Fr. Joseph Pullicino, SJ
By Beatus Shayo, SJ
Dear companions, greetings from Debre Zeit-Oromia Region in Ethiopia. I hope that you’re doing well in your respective apostolates.
On Saturday, November 11, 2023, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the religious life of Fr. Joseph Pollicino, S.J. The event took place at the Galilee Retreat Center in Debre Zeit. The event began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, presided over by Golden Jubilarian Fr. Joseph Pollicino. His Excellency Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia and Djibouti Antoine Camilleri, Fr. Raymond Manyanga SJ, Fr. Alex Wainaina SJ, Fr. James Moro SJ, and other priests concelebrated the Eucharist. The Mass was attended by religious brothers and sisters, along with a few lay people. In his homily, Fr. Joseph Pollicino expressed his gratitude to God, the Society of Jesus, and all the people who facilitated his mission throughout his religious life.
Fr. Alex Wainaina read a letter from Fr. Arturo Sosa, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who appreciated the service offered by Fr. Joseph Pollicino to the people of God. Fr. Sosa recognized the challenges he faced in the mission, especially when he was working with the refugees. Also, he congratulated him for his remarkable services in Ethiopia, praising him for being generous with time, knowledge, talents, and spirituality for the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls. Fr. Sosa appreciated his commitment to work tirelessly and passionately for the expansion of the Galilee Retreat Center. Fr. General’s letter was full of inspiration, and it made people admire such a wonderful experience of 50 years of serving God’s people.
In his short speech, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia congratulated the Jubilarian on his Fifty years of service to God’s people, saying, “Fifty years of service is a great achievement that deserves appreciation and gratitude for all the love and generosity you have poured into God’s children.” He emphasized that “We still need Fr. Joseph’s service to the people of God.”
The solemn Eucharistic was followed by a celebration and felicitation program. Winding up the event, Fr. Joseph, in his thanksgiving message, said that God has been very kind and generous to him all through his life. He thanked religious brothers and sisters, family members, well-wishers, benefactors, and everyone else for being a part of the Golden Jubilee celebration.
