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This is an archive article published on September 10, 2023
For Joe Biden, communion service before G20 Summit, priest brings with him Goan delicacy Bebinca
Around 9 am Saturday, Fr Nicholas Dias was at ITC Maurya, where, along with President Biden, a small US delegation participated in a 30-minute Holy Communion service.
Father Nicholas Dias with US officials
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For Joe Biden, communion service before G20 Summit, priest brings with him Goan delicacy Bebinca
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About a week ago, Fr Nicholas Dias, the Secretary for Liturgy Commission for the Delhi Archdiocese, received a surprise in his inbox. Officials of the US Embassy had a special request — a Holy Communion service for US President Joe Biden before his G20 Summit engagements in New Delhi.
Fr Dias, who hails from Benaulim, Goa, and has been working in various apostolates for over three decades, was quick to respond. Over the next few days, White House officials kept engaging to ensure that President Biden’s request for a prayer service could be fulfilled before the Summit began.
A souvenir from Biden — the President’s Seal No 261. Express
Around 9 am Saturday, Fr Dias was at ITC Maurya, where, along with President Biden, a small US delegation participated in a 30-minute Holy Communion service.
“President Biden was clear that he wanted to begin his two-day G20 engagements at Bharat Mandapam with the Holy Eucharist and a prayer. Together, we prayed for the participants as well as for the success of the Summit and for the global issues that were to be discussed,” Fr Dias told The Indian Express.
While it may have been just less than an hour, for Fr Dias, it was a golden opportunity to “celebrate faith with a world leader”.
“We had a quick conversation where he shared how his grandmother was a great influence in his life and in his Catholic upbringing… I also got the opportunity to share how Christianity reached the shores of India and mentioned the immortal remains of St Francis Xavier that lay in Goa,” he said.
Fr Dias also shared with Biden a gift from back home. “I had just returned from Goa and had a packet of Bebinca (a Goan-Portuguese delicacy) which I thought would be an apt gift to speak of my cultural roots.”
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And, just before they parted ways, President Biden stopped Fr Dias and handed over a souvenir he will forever cherish — the President’s Seal No 261.
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