Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 14: In a solemn and joy-filled ceremony, five brothers were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons for the Diocese of Mangalore by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore. The sacred rite took place on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 3:30 pm in the chapel of St Joseph Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu.
The newly ordained deacons are Dn Jeevan D’Souza of Bela parish, Dn Loyd Rohan D’Souza of Madanthyar parish, Dn Joel Monteiro of Cordel parish, Dn Denzil Rodrigues of Nainad parish, and Dn Avil Santhumayor of Shirtady parish.
Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha was the main celebrant of the Eucharistic celebration and the ordaining prelate. He was joined by a large number of concelebrants, including Msgr Lawrence Maxim Noronha, vicar general of the diocese, Dr Rajesh Rosario, rector of St Joseph Seminary, Fr Santhosh Rodrigues, director of Pastoral Centre, along with seminary staff and diocesan priests.
In his homily, Bishop Saldanha elaborated on the role of a deacon as a minister of the Word, the Altar, and Charity. He urged the new ordinands to be zealous men who proclaim the Gospel and bring people to Jesus. “Your service is a service of love, modelled on Christ who came not to be served, but to serve,” the bishop said. “Be close to the people, especially the poor and the suffering, and be faithful servants of God’s mysteries.”
The chapel was filled to capacity with seminary students, religious sisters, family members, friends, and the lay faithful who prayerfully witnessed the sacred rite. The liturgy of ordination, which included the prostration, the laying on of hands, and the solemn prayer of ordination, were moments of profound spiritual significance for all present. Fr Rohit D’Costa, director of Mangala Jyothi, animated the liturgy and the ceremony.
Following the ordination Mass, a brief felicitation programme was held to honour the newly ordained deacons. Fr Johnson Sequeira, principal of Lourdes Central School, spoke the words of felicitation on behalf of the diocese. The bishop extended his heartfelt gratitude to the parents and families of the deacons for offering their sons to the service of the Church. He also expressed appreciation for the vocation promoters and formators at the seminary for their dedicated efforts in nurturing and preparing the candidates for this important ministry.
The diaconal ordination marks the final step for these five men in their journey towards priesthood. They will now serve in various parishes of the diocese, assisting in liturgical services, preaching the Gospel, and engaging in charitable works as they prepare for their priestly ordination.