Saint Michael the Archangel church in Kamudpur

The waiting for the Dedication of Saint Michael the Archangel in Kamudpur have been long. Many used to say: “Father, when the church is finished, you will live close and we will get Mass frequently!”

Now the day has come.  On past May 11^th, our church was offeredto the Lord as his sacred temple and the Mission Centre of Kamudpur has been inaugurated. From here 10 Christian communities are going to be attended: Palkichora, Chatlapur, Dabolchora Punjee, Kalenjee Punjee, Kurma Punjee, Kurma Bagan, Patrokhola Bagan, Patrokhola Punjee, Katabil e Modonmohonpur, within a radius of 20 km. Till now they were part of the huge parish of Sreemongol, Moulvibazar district.

The celebration

Many priests concelebrated with the bishop in the solemn liturgy. The seminarians of the Saint John’s seminary served and the choir of Marist Brothers’ Hostels marvellously sang. In the celebration joined more than 1500 faithful. Many came from other parishes.

There were many of the neighbours of Kamudpur, Muslins and Hindus, curious to see what a church is.

The “church” and the “Church”

The bricks-made temple is the sign of the same Church, that temple made by all those the Lord Jesus calls close to make them his own home. It is the Mystery of the Incarnation of the Word of God that is still ongoing. The Church is a life. The very life of Christ which flows in the veins of his friends.

During the celebration, the relics of some saints were put at the basis of the altar. They are the relics from the bodies of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Saint Francis of Paula, and Saint Frances Cabrini – these were brought as a precious gift from Italy by Father Valentino Campanella, Father Francesco’s beloved friend and seminary class-mate.

The relics of the saints remind that the life Christ gives is holiness. All of us partake in it for the baptism. Those who are already in the plenitude of the glory of Christ, the saints; those who have passed through death and are being purified also thanks to our prayers; and we who are still pilgrims in this world, we all are one family.

In this land of tea plantations and jungle, in Sylhet division, in Bangladesh – where the presence of Christians does not reach the 0.1%– the Saint Michael Church proclaims that the Lord is present, speaks with his friends, reinvigorates them through the sacraments and gives them the consistency of living communities always ready to share in charity and announce the Gospel. 

The Saint Michael the Archangel church

The Saint Michael’s church is a two stored building. On the ground floor the liturgical hall; on the first floor the priests’ house. It has been built thanks to the help of “Church in Need”, “Missio Aachen”, and “Propaganda Fide”. Many are also the benefactors from Ecuador, through the diocese of Ibarra, and Italy, through the “Shaplà” Association. 

The Bishop of Sylhet, Monsignor Shorot Francis Gomes, in the homily of the Dedication Mass, expressed gratitude to the benefactors and to the Ecuadorian Diocese of Ibarra, whose missionary, father Francesco Rizzo built this church and whom the pastoral responsibility is now entrusted to. Monsignor Gomes especially reminded the contribution of His Excellency Valter Maggi, “a missionary-hearted bishop” – he said – from whom the fraternal cooperation of Ibarra diocese has started, 8 years ago. Indeed, the name “Saint Michael” was given to this church because the Archangel is the patron of Ibarra.

The artists of the small town of Saint Antonio of Ibarra are those who made the woody sculptures that give to the simple church of Kamudpur that beauty that nurtures the heart and attracts towards Christ: the Crucifix, the statue of Saint Michael the Archangel, the dove of the Holy Spirit above the altar and the stations of the Way of the Cross.

Other significant elements of the church are: the blue colour of the interior, which signifies the Heaven who takes part in the liturgy enters, and, on the façade the big rose window, which signifies the same Christ with the twelve apostles, meaning the Church is Christ grounded communion.

From the temple to charity works

Moreover, the temple meets its expression in charity works. Indeed, a part of the building is the Health of Family Promotion Centre (built with the help of the Italian Bishops Conference) and, a few metres further, the “Girls’ Hostel” building is under construction. It will be the residence for 32 girls, coming from tea worker villages or “pan” leaves farmer villages, who will have a comfortable place to stay and attend classes in the nearby colleges.

Finally, that is a great work that the Lord does through the poor hands of his friends.