– By Br Jencil Alva
Bishop Jerald Isaac Lobo ordains 13 Candidates Deacons in St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary
Mangalore Oct 14, 2015 : The Church was gladdened having received the invitation of 13 youngsters responding to the call of God, thus being elevated to the order of Diaconate at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu, Mangalore on Wednesday 14th October 2015 at 3.00 pm. Bishop Gerard Issac Lobo the Bishop of Udupi conferred the order of Diaconate to these 13 candidates belonging to 7 dioceses from across India and one religious congregation, Donald Nilesh Crasta, Lawrence Cutinha, Roshan D’Cunha, Joswin D’Souza are from the Diocese of Mangalore. Canute Noronha from the Diocese of Udupi, Sanjay Kujur from Jabalpur Diocese, Jose Yesudasan from Calicut Diocese, Vikas Bara from Jashpur, Simham Chaithanya King and Jaya Raju Kayagalla are from Cuddapah Diocese, Joseph Praveen from Gulbarga Diocese. Stephen Lobo and Ashwin Rohan D’Silva are for Carmelite religious congregation.
A solemn homily preached by ordaining prelate Most Rev. Gerald Isaac Lobo, who meaningfully explained the nature and importance of the ministry of Diaconate in the Church, quoting the example of archdeacon St Lawrence and his love towards poor and needy thus set an example to the newly ordained on this day. “The Church extends its love and whole hearted acceptance towards this young men’s response to the divine call” was the core message of the homily. The entire service was cheered with the auspicious and high note of gratitude from the part of the entire Josephite family being proposed by Rev. Fr Joseph Martis, Rector of the Seminary, who thanked the huge gathering. On behalf of the newly ordained Deacons, Dn Roshan D’Cunha warm heartedly expressed his sentiments of gratitude towards the formators and their respective Prelates for helping them to ascend the Altar of Lord.
The ceremony was concelebrated by around hundred priests of religious institute and various dioceses of South India. Great number of Christ’s faithful witnessed the same. Diaconate program culminated with a colourful felicitation programme.
