Province Celebrates the Jubilarians of 2025

By Fr. Mike Mendl, SDB, and Julia St. Clair, Province Communications Director

(New Rochelle, NY – September 17) – Most Americans wouldn’t mark September 11 as an auspicious day for a celebration. Nevertheless, St. Philip the Apostle Province found cause to celebrate. Sixteen confreres this year have achieved, among them, 605 years of religious profession and 220 years of priestly ordination—and that was celebrated liturgically at the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Stony Point, N.Y., and gustatorily at Town & Country Caterers in Congers, N.Y., on Thursday, September 11.

It was a wonderful evening, and around 200 people gathered to celebrate this year’s jubilarians. The provincial, Fr. Dominic Tran, SDB, gave the homily. He spoke of how St. Paul invites us to be thankful because God has chosen us as His beloved children. Fr. Dominic thanked God for the gifts of life, Baptism, Confirmation, religious consecration, priesthood, ministries, the Eucharist, young people, and encountering Jesus in the Eucharist. “For all of this, we give thanks to God,” he beamed. Fr. Dominic urged all present to share the gifts that we urgently need—unity and peace—with their brothers and sisters. He went on to thank the jubilarians for sharing God’s riches with us. “Together, let us be thankful,” Fr. Dominic encouraged everyone.

The renewals of priestly commitments followed the homily. Confreres celebrating a jubilee of profession renewed their vows before the final blessing.

The Mass was recorded and uploaded to the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians’ YouTube channel.

After Mass, the celebration continued with a cocktail hour and dinner at Town & Country Caterers in nearby Congers. Fr. Franco Pinto, SDB, vice provincial and province youth ministry delegate, emceed the reception. “So many miracles happen,” Fr. Franco proclaimed.

A key moment was when Fr. Jim Heuser, SDB, was presented with a small statue of Don Bosco in honor of the 50th anniversary of his profession. Another was when Fr. Jan Bernas was invited to say a few words in commemoration of his 75 years of religious profession. Additionally, a shoutout was given to Fr. Enzo Trigatti, SDB, [97] the most senior member of the province, who could not be present but who has achieved 80 years as a professed Salesian.