Mangalore: Bishop Ordains 14 to Diaconate at St Joseph’s Seminary
 
from  Vishal Melwyn Monis
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (GA)
 
Mangalore, Jun 12: The bells rang and the choir began singing. As the entrance procession led to the oratory, incense reached the heavens. The showers of blessing poured down. Thus the fourteen brothers were lead to the altar to confer the Ordination of Diaconate at the oratory of St Joseph Seminary, Jeppu.
 
The ordination rite of the diaconate was celebrated with a solemn liturgy of the Eucharist.  After the proclamation of the Gospel, the rector of the seminary Fr Victor Machado presented the candidates to Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore to raise them into the position of clergy.

The people's consent for the same was given with a hymn. Subsequently the Bishop instructed the candidates with the Word of God. Later the aspirants pledged to lead a life of celibacy and obedience. After the litany of the saints, the ceremony proceeded with most important sign of the ordination i.e. laying on of hands on the ordinandi by the Bishop. The rite succeeded in the investiture of the deacons with the stole and dalmatics. Afterwards the Bishop gave them the Book of Gospels saying, “Believe what you read, preach what you believe and practice what you preach”. The ritual ended with the kiss of peace.
 
Thus, the Eucharistic celebration was marked by the awesome religious experience. With the help of angelic singings and prayerful liturgy the participants felt the presence of holiness.
 
The deacons ordained are Bruno Rajesh (Vijayawada), Bara Kishore (Gumla), Robert D’Souza (Mangalore), Stany Fernandes (Mangalore), Jeraldin Mathias (OSFS), Anil Roshan Lobo (Mangalore), Vinod Lobo (Mangalore), John Moras (Mangalore), Peyyala Antony (Vijayawada), Joseph Pinto (OCD), Naveen Pinto (Mangalore), Reddy Rayappa (OSFS), Jossy Sequeira (Shimoga) And Tauro Prakash (OCD).
 
The audience was filled with the religious personalities. Around 75 priests concelebrated and 300 close relatives of the deacons witnessed this awesome solemn diaconate liturgy.