Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (RJP)
Pics: Fr Richard D'Souza
Mangaluru, Apr 14: Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'Souza ordained nine hitherto deacons as new priests on Tuesday, April 14 at Rosario Cathedral amid the presence of faithful as well as family members of the newly anointed.
In a Holy Eucharist presided over by Dr Aloysius D’Souza, the bishop of Mangaluru diocese, anointed the deacons as priests and welcomed them to the fraternity of clergymen.
Fr Joseph Martis, the rector of St Joseph’s seminary read out the names of the about to be ordained priests and they stood up to say "I am present". The bishop asked the Rector about the willingness and preparation of the deacons to be the priests of the diocese. The rector replied, "I have found that they are worthy to be priests of the Catholic church." Then the bishop ordained the nine deacons as priests in a traditional style and way of Catholic ordination.
The new priests are Fr Praveen J Saldanha from Anegudde, Fr Kenneth R Crasta from Bejai, Fr Nelson D Pais from Paladka, Fr Johnson L Sequeira from Kinnigoli, Fr Denzil Lobo from Shamboor, Fr Paul S D'Souza from Nainad, Fr Ashwin R Cardoza from Gantalkatte, Fr Rahul D D'Souza from Bondel and Fr Santhosh D'Souza from Kumbla.
One more deacon Stany Pinto from Indubettu, who is part of the ten priests of this year, will be ordained on April 16 at Indubettu near Belthangady.
Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of the diocese, Fr Joseph Martis, Fr Henry Sequeira, Fr J B Crasta, the parish priest of Rosario cathedral were present among 158 priests during the ordination. Fr Vijay Machado from Mangalajyothi compered.
A felicitation function of a short duration was held after the ordination.