News: Br Joel Monteiro, Gladson
Pics: Stanley Bantwal
Mangaluru, Oct 13: Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, bishop of Mangalore diocese, conferred the sacred ordination to the diaconate to ten deacons of St Joseph Seminary on Wednesday October 13, at St Joseph Church, Jeppu, adhering strictly to the Covid norms of government authorities.
Dn Aaron Babush, OCD, Dn Ivan Peter Cordeiro, Arva parish for Mangalore diocese, Dn Jason Francis Coutinho, OCD, Dn Johnson Pereira, Omzoor parish for Mangalore diocese, Dn Leo Dsouza, Arva parish for Udupi diocese, Dn Pradeep Cardoza, Hirebail parish for Udupi diocese, Dn Ronald Minin Furtado, OCD, Dn Vijay Monteiro, Bankal parish for Mangalore diocese, Dn Vivek Deepak Pinto, Madanthyar parish for Mangalore diocese, and Dn Vivian Nishant Rodrigues, Kollangana parish for Mangalore diocese, were the 10 deacons.
The Bishop presided over the Eucharistic celebration and instructed deacons about their ministry and the way of life. Addressing the deacons during the homily the bishop said, “The first step was taken by Jesus and then these brothers followed these footsteps of Jesus. It is Jesus who chose you to preach His word, to serve at His altar and lead an exemplary life,” said the bishop.
Fr Ronald Serrao, rector, St Joseph Seminary presented the candidates to the bishop, to be conferred the Sacred Order of Diaconate. Bishop ordained these 10 brothers to the order of diaconate in the presence of priests, religious, laity, parents and the relatives.
Fr Maxim L Noronha, vicar general of the diocese, Fr Victor George D’Souza, chancellor, Fr Ronald Serrao, rector, Fr George Santhumayor OCD, the provincial superior of Karnataka-Goa province, Fr Charles Serrao OCD, superior of St Joseph's Monastery, Fr Lancy Lewis OCD were present among the many.
Fr Vijay Machado, director, DBCLC animated the liturgical ceremony.
Bishop congratulated the newly ordained deacons. “Today we have ten deacons amidst us which represents wholeness, and The Holy Catholic Church rejoices over ordaining these ten men at the service of our Lord,” added the bishop.
Deacon Vivian Nishanth Rodrigues expressed his words of gratitude on behalf of all the deacons.
The number of participants for the ceremony was limited to certain number adhering the norms of the government. Only the close relatives of deacons took part in the ceremony.