Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (SB)

Pics: Stanly Bantwal

Mangaluru, Apr 26: The ordination ceremony of two Deacons as priests of Missionary Society of Infant Jesus (MSIJ) congregation was held at St Lawrence Church, Bondel on Thursday, May 26.

Bishop of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, ordained the Deacons. Bishop also celebrated the Holy Eucharist as main celebrant. In his homily the Bishop said the newly ordained priests have the onerous responsibility of preaching the word of God. He also urged them to work towards the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society.

Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu, vicar general of the diocese and Fr Lawrence Pinto were the co-celebrants. Fr Ronald Serrao, professor of St. Joseph’s seminary Mangaluru led the liturgical ceremony.

Fr Lawrence Pinto, the founder of MSIJ congregation read out the names of the about to be ordained priests and they stood up to say "I am present". The bishop asked the founder about the willingness and preparation of the deacons to be the priests of the diocese. The founder replied, "I have found that they are worthy to be priests of the Catholic Church." Then the bishop ordained the two deacons as priests in a traditional style and way of Catholic ordination.

After the Eucharist celebration, a short felicitation programme was organized by the MSIJ.

One of the newly ordained priests Fr Melwyn Basil Pinto is from Hosabettu parish of Mangaluru diocese. He is son of Valerian Pinto and Luviza Pinto and completed his theological education at Nagpur in Maharashtra.

Another new priest Fr Ravikumar Bartula is from Challapalli parish of Yellur diocese. He is son of Marthamma and late Chinnappa. He completed his theological education in Jnyanapet ,Andra Pradesh.

This is the first ordination of MSIJ which was formed on 2005 by Fr Lawrence Pinto. The headquarters of MSIJ is at Kavoor, Mangaluru.