Media Release
Udupi, Oct 21: Three deacons of the Udupi Diocese were ordained as priests during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at Milagres Cathedral, Kalyanpur, on Wednesday. Kevin D'Souza from Padukone, Steven D'Souza from Nidpalli, and Shawn Savio Andrade from Kemmannu were ordained by Bishop of Udupi Diocese Dr Leslie Clifford D'Souza.
During the solemn Eucharistic celebration, the bishop and the priests present invoked the holy spirit by laying their hands on the heads of the candidates. The hands of the newly ordained priests were then anointed with holy oil in accordance with Christian liturgical traditions.
In his homily, Bishop Leslie Clifford D'Souza emphasised that true leadership lies in humbling oneself before god in the service of his people. He highlighted the religious and social responsibilities of a Catholic priest and appreciated the families for offering their sons to the service of the Church. He also urged parents in Christian families to encourage their children to consider priesthood and dedicate themselves to religious service.
Following their ordination, the newly ordained priests actively participated in the Eucharistic celebration at the altar for the first time as priests and distributed holy communion to the faithful. Monsignor Francis F Lobo, vicar general of the Udupi Diocese; Chancellor Steven D'Souza; public relations officer Denis D'Sa; regional deans Charles Menezes of Shirva, Alban D'Souza of Karkala, and Paul Rego of Kundapur; and rector of the Mangaluru seminary Rajesh Rosario were among those present, along with priests from various parishes.
The diocese felicitated the newly ordained priests following the Eucharistic celebration. Wilson D'Souza coordinated the liturgical proceedings, while Stephen Rodrigues introduced the newly ordained priests. Steven D'Souza proposed the vote of thanks.
Kevin D'Souza belongs to the Padukone parish in Kundapura. Born on January 17, 1995, he is the youngest of three children of Claudius D'Souza, a retired agriculturist, and Jeeta D'Souza, a homemaker. He completed his schooling and pre-university education in Padukone before graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree from St Philomena College, Puttur. After completing his pre-university education, Kevin joined the seminary of the Udupi Diocese. He began his major seminary formation in June 2018 and served his regency at Divyadham Minor Seminary in Moodubelle, Udupi. During his theological studies, he participated in Sunday pastoral services in Udupi during his first year, Thottam during his second year, and Hirgan during his third year. He completed his pre-diaconate service in Moodubelle and served as a deacon at Udyavar and the Bishop's House.
Steven D'Souza was born on June 22, 1997. He is the son of Balthazar D'Souza and Stella D'Souza of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Nidpalli. He completed his schooling from Classes 1 to 10 at Sajankady School near his hometown and pursued his pre-university education at Rosario Pre-University College, Mangaluru. He later graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from St Philomena College, Puttur. Steven joined the Minor Seminary on May 27, 2013, after completing his SSLC education and began his major seminary formation on June 10, 2018. During his regency, he served at Holy Cross Church, Byndoor. As part of his theological formation, he undertook Sunday pastoral services at Kanjara during his first year, Udupi during his second year, and Attur during his third year. He completed his pre-diaconate service at Udyavar.
Shawn Savio Andrade, born on August 20, 1989, is the younger of two children of Ronald Anthony Andrade and Maxi Jacinta Andrade. His family belongs to St Theresa – Little Flower of Jesus Church, Kemmannu. He completed his schooling from Classes 1 to 10 at Milagres English Medium School, Kalyanpur, followed by his pre-university education at St Aloysius Pre-University College, Mangaluru. He subsequently obtained a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) degree from Milagres College, Kalyanpur, and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Before entering the seminary, Shawn gained professional experience in the social development sector. He worked for one year on a UNICEF project under the Karnataka government's Department of Women and Child Development in Bengaluru. He then worked for four years with the Association of Bengal Collaborators for Development (ABCD) in Kolkata, followed by six months of service at Milagres College, Kalyanpur. He joined the seminary for priestly formation in 2018. During his regency, he served at St Joseph's Church, Belman. As part of his theological formation, he undertook pastoral services at Attur during his first year, Hirgan during his second year, and Udupi during his third year. He completed his pre-diaconate service at Shankarpura.