Bangalore: Archbishop Ordains 11 Capuchin Deacons to Priesthood

Media Release

Bangalore, Jun 30: Eleven young and enthusiastic Capuchin brothers were ordained at Darshan Institute of Theology, Bangalore on Friday June 29.

Among the 11, 4 deacons (Sunil Cornelio, Justin Sumi, Johnson D’Mello, Ivan D’Souza) belong to Karnataka Province, 3 deacons (Albert Pegado, Ramesh Bhoya, Sandeep Koshav) belong to the province of Maharashtra and 4 (Vincy D’Costa, Avinash Rodrigues, Seville Antao, Michael Albuquerque) to Goa province.

The ordination ceremony of the diaconate was celebrated with great solemnity, meaningful liturgy of Eucharist and a harmonious choir. After the proclamation of the Gospel Fr Vincent, the Provincial Minister of Karnataka Province presented the candidates to the Archbishop Dr Bernard Moras of Bangalore to ordain them as deacons.

As it was also the solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul, the Archbishop urged the deacons to share their faith to the world in their own capacities like Sts Peter and Paul did. He also motivated them to serve God and humankind in love and peace.

Later, the aspirants pledged to lead a life of celibacy and obedience. The Archbishop laid his hands on the ordinandi after which the rite succeeded in the investiture of the deacons with stole and dalmatics. Afterwards he gave them the book of Gospel saying, "believe what you read, preach what you believe and practice what you preach". Thus the ritual ended with the kiss of peace.

Fr Baptist Rodrigues, the rector thanked each and every one who made this event possible. The newly ordained deacons were felicitated after which all the parents, guests, benefactors and the faithful were served a sumptuous meal.