From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 13: The Order Franciscans Missionaries (OFM) were blessed with eight new deacons when the Archbishop of Bangalore Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras conferred the order of diaconate on on Brothers Roshan, Showry, Chinnappa, Eugine, Nijil, Prasanna, Christopher and Felix at a solemn ceremony at the St Anthony’s Friary in Bangalore on Saturday.
The eight brothers are doing their theological studies in Sacred Heart Seminary, Shillong.
Friar Babu Jose, the Minister Provincial of St Thomas the Apostle Province and Friar Tony D'souza, the Custos of Mary Mother of God and several other friars and priests concelebrated the Eucharist in a packed church.
Friar Babu Jose presented the eight young men to the Archbishop to raise them to the order of diaconate.
In his homily, the Archbishop highlighted the importance of the Word of God in the lives of the deacons and every Christian and how each one is bound by the duty to proclaim the Word not just by word but more importantly through one's life and deed.
This invitation of Bishop to preach the word of God through life was later confirmed when the brothers received the Book of the Gospels from the hands of the Bishop.
The entire community gathered in the Church sought the intercessions of all the saints after which, the Archbishop laid his hands on each one of candidates and prayed for them.
The candidates were then vested with stole and dalmatics as a sign that they were ready to proclaim the Word of God and to serve the Him and His people.
The Archbishop and the priests on the altar greeted the newly ordained deacons with the kiss of peace. The deacons then assisted the bishop in the celebration of the Eucharist. '
The newly ordained deacon, Christopher delivered the vote of thanks remembering with gratitude God and His constant guidance, parents and family members, formators and spiritual directors and also the bishop, provincial, custos, friars, priests and people present.
The friar students of St Anthony's friary, Bangalore made the celebration memorable with their singing.