News & Pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (RD)

Mumbai, Apr 11: Carmelite Deacon Ajay Nazareth was ordained as a priest by Mumbai’s Auxiliary Bishop Percival Fernandes at St Joseph’s church, Mira Road, here on Sunday April 10.  

Auxiliary Bishop Percival Fernandes concelebrated the Holy Mass along with Mira Road parish priest Fr Dominic Vaz, Fr Ivan D’Souza and other clergies at the occasion.

Fr Ajay Nazareth is born at Kinnigoli in Mangalore taluk to Henry and Benedicta Nazareth couple on April 6 1977. He completed his primary and secondary education at St John the Evangelist High School, Marol, Andheri (E) followed by HSC from Tolani College, Mahakali, Andheri (E). He pursued B Com studies at Mumbai University.  Later, he did his diploma in computer studies and worked for 5 years as a hardware engineer. Meanwhile, it’s during his busy work schedule, he felt an intense desire for the priesthood. He joined the Carmelite order on June 21, 2002 when he attended a practical programme on religious calling at Margoa.

He completed his year of Initiation at Mapusa, Goa and was admitted to the Novitiate in 2003. After completing a year of Novitiate, he was professed on July 20, 2004 at Kushalnagar, Mysore. After Novitiate, he attended Philosophy and Theology studies to St Pius College, Goregaon. He did his Solemn profession on May 22, 2010 at St Joseph Church, Mira Road and was ordained a Deacon on September 12, 2010 at St Pius College, Goregaon by Auxiliary Bishop Percival Fernandez, and again the same Bishop Percival Fernandez consecrated him as an apostle of Christ, to live a life with Christ and to serve and proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Fr Ajay Nazareth is a parishioner of Mira Road and a second Carmelite priest to be ordained from Mira Road Parish, which is run by the Carmelites.