Br Jencil Alva

Mangaluru, Oct 15: Thirteen youngsters were elavated to the order of Diaconate at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Jeppu in city on Wednesday, October 14.

Dr Gerard Issac Lobo the bishop of Udupi conferred the order of Diaconate to these 13 candidates belonging to 7 dioceses from across India and one religious congregation. Donald Nilesh Crasta, Lawrence Cutinha, Roshan D’Cunha, Joswin D’Souza are from Mangaluru diocese. Canute Noronha from Udupi dieces, Sanjay Kujur from Jabalpur diocese, Jose Yesudasan from Calicut diocese, Vikas Bara from Jashpur, Simham Chaithanya King and Jaya RajuKayagalla are from Cuddapah diocese, Joseph Praveen from Gulbarga diocese and Stephen Lobo and Ashwin Rohan D’Silva are for Carmelite religious congregation.

Homily was delivered by Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo where he meaningfully explained the nature and importance of the ministry of Diaconate in the Church, quoting the example of arch deacon St Lawrence and his love towards poor and needy thus set an example to the newly ordained on this day. “The Church extends its love and whole hearted acceptance towards this young men’s response to the divine call” was the core message of the homily.

The entire service was cheered with the auspicious and high note of gratitude from the part of the entire Josephite family being proposed by Fr Joseph Martis, Rector of the Seminary, who thanked the huge gathering. On behalf of the newly ordained Deacons, Dn Roshan D’Cunha warm heartedly expressed his sentiments of gratitude towards the formators and their respective Prelates for helping them to ascend the Altar of Lord.

The ceremony was concelebrated by around hundred priests of religious institute and various dioceses of South India. Great number of Christ’s faithful witnessed the same. Diaconate programme culminated with a colourful felicitation programme.