[15][12][16] He was ordained a priest in 1953, he performed pastoral works, specifically choosing to serve in poor areas of Maharashtra.

[17] Rego was ordained a priest on 3 December 1953,[18] at the age of 32 at St. Peter's Church, Bandra, and set about ministering in far flung areas where the poor lived.

He was also a pet lover, having owned few dogs, and he would also interact with playful monkeys that hovered around the church compound whenever he visited the hills of Shimla parishes.

Rego determined to traverse the beginning of his lifelong vocation, undeterred, unshaken at the prospect of an enormous tasks ahead, to lead, to build, to shepherd a combined of twenty six civil districts, over 83,560 km2, under the new diocese.

Under his leadership, Rego was a "man of deep prayer, solid faith and undeterred resolve he brought hope, growth and brilliance to the face of the Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh.

[22] Rego begun his tenure by opening, supporting and blessing in various ministries such as missions, missionaries, churches, schools and orphanage centers.

[47][48] Schools in India have honored him by bestowing the Bishop Gilbert Rego Memorial awards to its achieving students.

[16] He received tender care by the Sisters at the Clergy Home[50] and its director, in Bandra, Maharashtra, and from the archdiocese of Bombay, Rev.

[4][51][22][52] The bishop's body was flown from Mumbai to Chandigarh, where a funeral mass at held at Christ the King Cathedra, presided by Rev.