Udupi: Three SVD Deacons Ordained in Solemn Ceremony at Pernal
Dr Eugene D'Souza, Moodubelle
Udupi, May 4: In a solemn ordination ceremony three Deacons belonging to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) were ordained as priests by the Archbishop of Bhopal, Dr Leo Cornelio in the newly renovated Church of Our Lady of Fatima, Pernal on Friday May 4. The ordination ceremony that began with the solemn Mass and the ordination ritual culminated in a grand reception followed by lunch in the magnificent pandal that was erected in the church compound. The three SVD Deacons who received the Sacrament of Ordination are: Fr Evan Gomes and Fr Rajesh D’Souza from pernal and Fr Maxim Pinto from Nirude.
Prior to the solemn Ordination Mass, Dr Leo Cornelio accompanied by Fr Gregory Serrao, the parish priest inaugurated and blessed the beautifully renovated Church of Our Lady of Fatima. The main altar was decorated with beautiful flowers to meet the requirement of the solemn occasion.
Following the inauguration and blessing of the renovated church, the priests along with the to be ordained Deacons accompanied by their parents and the Archbishop came in a grand procession from the pandal to the church. The Archbishop presided over the concelebration of the solemn Ordination Mass.
Following the reading the passage from the Gospel by Fr Rajesh D’Souza, the ordination ceremony began with the Rector of the SVD Seminary in Kirem, Fr Ivan D’Silva presenting the three Deacons before the Archbishop. After accepting the candidature of the three Deacons to be ordained, the Archbishop explained the significance of priesthood, the qualities required for a good priest and the responsibilities that come along with the priesthood.
As the Litany of the Saints was sung, the three Deacons prostrated before the altar to seek the intercession of the saints. Thereafter the Archbishop prayed for the Deacons by placing both hands on their heads one after the other. The act was repeated by other priests as well. Thereafter, the Deacons were helped to wear the priestly vestments.
The important ritual of anointing the hands of the new priests and handing over chalice as symbol of their responsibility to offer the Mass was conducted. This marked the completion of the ordination ceremony by which the three Deacons were ordained as priests. They were congratulated by the Archbishop by hugging each one of the new priests. The other priests also congratulated the new priests in similar manner.
Thereafter, the three new priests joined the Archbishop in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
At the end of the solemn ordination Mass, following the general blessing by the Archbishop, the newly ordained priests also blessed the congregation. Thereafter, the Archbishop blessed the renovated Tabernacle and placed the Ciborium comprising of the Holy Eucharist inside the Tabernacle.
Following the group pictures the entire congregation shifted from the church to the magnificent pandal where reception was held for the newly ordained priests.
After the Prayer Dance performed by the students trained by the Sisters of the Kripalaya Convent, Pernal, the newly ordained priests along with their parents and other dignitaries were requested to take their seats on the dais. The dignitaries on the dais included Dr Leo Cornelio, Fr Lazar Stanislaus (SVD), Provincial of Mumbai Province, Fr Nicholas Martis(SVD) Provincial of Central Indian Province, Dr Lawrence D’Souza, Director of St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore whose nephew, Fr Rajesh D’Souza was one of the newly ordained priest and Fr Gregory Serrao, Parish Priest of Pernal. Besides these dignitaries, Fr Evan Gomes and his parents-Edward and Cecilia Gomes, Fr Rajesh D’Souza and his parents-Joseph and Carmine D’Souza and Fr Maxim Pinto and his parents-Albert and Benedicta Pinto were also on the dais.
Following the welcome address by Fr Lawrence Correa (SVD), the God Parents of the newly ordained priests felicitated them by offering them garlands. Next, the SVD Brothers honoured the parents of the newly ordained priests by offering them flowers.
The Ordination Cake was cut next by the newly ordained priests and shared it with their parents. The choir trained by Fr Cyril presented the felicitation song following which Fr Ivan D’Silva, Rector of the SVD Seminary at Kirem felicitated the new priests with flowers.
Fr Abraham D’Souza, Vocation Director delivered the felicitation address. Fr Lazar Stanislaus congratulated the newly ordained priests and said that Fr Evan would be serving in the Mumbai Province whereas Fr Rajesh D’Souza would be serving in the Central Indian Province. Fr Maxim Pinto would be proceeding as a missionary to Angola in Africa. However, for one year he would be serving as Vocation Promoter for Mumbai Province before going to Angola.
Fr Gregory Serrao thanked the Archbishop for inaugurating and blessing the renovated church and Tabernacle and honoured him with a shawl and memento. He also expressed happiness at the ordination ceremony in Pernal. He said that it was for the first time that such a solemn and meaningful ordination ceremony was held in Pernal. He also felicitated the newly ordained priests of whom two-Fr Evan and Fr Rajesh were3 from Pernal.
In his message, Archbishop Leo Cornelio complemented the parents of the newly ordained priests and said that Mangalorean priests and missionaries have been serving in different countries of the world as well as in different parts of India. He made an appeal to the parishioners of Pernal to promote vocations as the parents of the newly ordained priests had done.
At the end of the felicitation function, Fr Evan Gomes proposed the vote of thanks. The ordination ceremony was anchored by Fr Navin rebello (SVD) and the felicitation programme was compeered by Fr Sunil Menezes (SVD). Following the felicitation function all those who were present were served with delicious lunch.