DHAKA, Bangladesh — As the Catholic Church marks Holy Thursday — known in some traditions as Maundy Thursday — a senior priest in Bangladesh says the day remains a deeply joyful and defining moment for priests, rooted in service, sacrifice, and renewal.
“Maundy Thursday is a very joyful day for our priests. It is the day of the priesthood and the day of the institution of the holy Eucharist,” said Monsignor Gabriel Corraya of the Archdiocese of Dhaka in an interview with EWTN News. “On this day, Jesus shared the Last Supper with his 12 disciples and entrusted them with his priestly life and ministry.”
Corraya, 69, said Holy Thursday holds special spiritual importance because it calls priests back to the origins of their vocation. The day, he explained, renews not only memories but also commitments.
“For us priests, Maundy Thursday is very important,” he said. “On this day, we renew our priestly promises before our bishop. It reminds us that we are participants in the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ.”
He said the ritual washing of the feet, a defining feature of Holy Thursday liturgies, reveals the heart of priestly service. Recalling Jesus kneeling before his disciples, Corraya said the act remains a lasting lesson in humility and action.
“Jesus came into the world to serve,” he said. “By washing the feet of his disciples, he showed that service must be proven not only through words but through actions. Though he was a teacher and master, he washed their feet. To me, no act of service is small. Washing feet is perhaps one of the most human things we can do.”
‘A blessed year’
This year marks a milestone in Corraya’s own priestly journey. On Jan. 24, he was elevated to the rank of monsignor, an honor conferred by Pope Leo XIV. He describes the title not as personal distinction but as an acknowledgment of service.
Monsignor Gabriel Corraya. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Monsignor Gabriel Corraya
Ordained a priest in Dhaka in 1986, he was among a group of deacons ordained during the pontificate of St. John Paul II. In 2026, he marks 40 years of priesthood.
“This is truly a blessed year in my life,” he said. “The greatest gift I have received is the priesthood itself. The monsignorship is simply a recognition of that service. As I wear this attire, I pray not for the garment, but that God may clothe my heart with humility, faith, and love.”
Forming bishops
For many years, Corraya served as rector of the major seminary in Dhaka, forming generations of priests in Bangladesh. Several of his former students have since become bishops, a source of gratitude rather than pride, he said.
“I always loved seeing one of my students ordained as a priest,” he said. “When one of my students, Sebastian Tudu, became bishop of the Diocese of Dinajpur, I was very happy. Even today, though he is a bishop, he treats me with great respect as his former rector.”
Corraya currently serves as vicar general of the Archdiocese of Dhaka. In that role, he sees both the wide reach of priestly ministry and its growing challenges in a rapidly changing society.
“There are many areas of service in this country, and priests are involved in many responsibilities,” he said. “One major challenge today is the identity of the priest. People’s way of thinking has changed. Often what we expect does not happen. Living our priesthood faithfully in the modern era can involve suffering.”
Monsignor Gabriel Corraya (center) poses with relatives after his elevation to the rank of monsignor at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ramna, Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Jan. 24, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Monsignor Gabriel Corraya
He added that priests must also examine themselves honestly. “Many times, we priests are unable to give full witness to the ideal of Jesus,” he said. “Christians come to Jesus when they see that ideal lived. His service speaks louder than words.”
Social media, he said, has become both a challenge and an opportunity. “This is the era of social media,” he said. “If priests do not update themselves, it becomes difficult. Sometimes the distance between priests and the faithful grows, and this is a challenge we must address.”
To respond, senior priests gathered in Dhaka on March 25 to reflect on adapting to contemporary realities. “We discussed how we can update ourselves with the times, and that effort is ongoing,” he said.
A minority Church
Although Catholics remain a small minority in Bangladesh, Corraya said priests generally enjoy peaceful coexistence with members of other religions. “We have good relationships with people of other faiths,” he said. “Occasionally, isolated extremist incidents cause concern, but overall we share a bond of harmony.”
Bangladesh faces a modest shortage of priests, especially as new parishes open and missionary needs expand. “Fewer young people are entering seminaries,” he said. “We are addressing this by appointing vocation promoters to encourage young people to consider the priesthood.”
As the Church observes Holy Thursday — often called Priests’ Day — Corraya offered a message to clergy worldwide: “Priests are part of God’s great plan. Priesthood is a precious gift from God. My prayer is that all priests may remain healthy and walk closely with the faithful entrusted to them.”
