Beltangady: Three Deacons Ordained to Priesthood

Stanley Bantwal
Daiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Apr 22: St Anthony’s parish, Ujire wore a festive look, as three deacons hailing from the village were raised to the Sacred Order of Priesthood on Saturday April 21.

Two of them - Anil Prashant Lobo and Pradeep Pinto - belong to the Discalced Carmelite Order while deacon Santosh Naveen D’Souza is a member of the Order of Capuchins. Fr Pradeep's younger brother, Br Vinod Pinto had also joined the Carmelites, but was called by the Lord when he was in the novitiate.

Henry D’Souza, the bishop of Bellary presided over the solemn Eucharistic celebration that began at 9.30 am. In his homily he dwelt on the various aspects of priesthood, which he emphasized is an initiative of God.

Fr Archibald Gonsalves, the Provincial of the Carmelites, Fr Vincent Furtado, the Provincial of the Capuchins and around 80 priests belonging to the two religious orders and diocesan clergy concelebrated.

Ten new Carmelite priests of the Karnataka-Goa Province have been ordained this year so far. Two more who are studying in the mission of Tanzania, will be ordained priests later in June and July.

There was a felicitation programme organized by the parish at the end of the holy Mass. It was compered by Fr Deep Fernandes, a Carmelite from Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte.