M’lore: 20 Deacons Ordained at St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu

By Praveen Joy Saldanha
Pics by Wilson Shirva
Bellevision Media Network

Mangalore, 15 June 2012:  20 young men, who were preparing and forming themselves to be priests to work in the vineyard of the Lord, were ordained Deacons at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu. Among the 20 Deacons, five belong to Mangalore Diocese, six to Kannur Diocese, one to Calicut Diocese, one to Shimoga, Diocese, one to Gumla Diocese, one to Jashpur diocese. Along with these, three Carmelites and two belonging to  Betharam Fathers were also ordained as Deacons.

 

The ordination rite of the Deaconate was celebrated with a solemn liturgy of the Eucharist.  After the proclamation of the Gospel, the Rector of the seminary Very Rev.Fr Joseph Martis presented the candidates to Bishop Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore to raise them into the position of clergy. Subsequently,  the Bishop instructed the candidates with the Word of God. In his homily, Bishop urged the ordained Deacons to do the will of God generously and to serve God and mankind in love and joy. Addressing Deacons,  Bishop expressed, “You are the ministers of the Word of God and you have to express in action
what you proclaim by word of mouth.”

 

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 culminated 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.

 

 

 

The Holy Eucharist was followed by the felicitation of the newly ordained Deacons. Priests, religious, seminarians, parents, friends, and relatives of the deacons witnessed the solemn Deaconate liturgy. The beauty of the Eucharistic celebration was enhanced by the angelic singing and prayerful liturgy.

 

The participants experienced the presence of Holy Spirit in the celebration.

 

The newly ordained deacons are:

1.      Dn D’Souza Mahesh (Mangalore)
2.      Dn D’Sa Deepak Leo (Mangalore)
3.      Dn Rodrigues Amith Prakash (Mangalore)
4.      Dn Lobo Rohan (Mangalore)
5.      Dn Sequeira George Jeevan (Mangalore)
6.      Dn Erathara Christopher Moxy (Kannur)
7.      Dn Kanari Jacob Vijesh(Kannur)
8.      Dn Linto Stanly (Kannur)
9.      Dn Oliparambil George Jerry (Kannur)
10.     Dn Puliyankil Suneesh Joseph (Kannur)
11.     Dn Vimal Victor (Kannur)
12.     Dn Nevez Tony Gracious (Calicut)
13.     Dn D’Cunha Prakash (OCD)
14.     Dn Menezes Richard (OCD)
15.     Dn Saldanha Joyson (OCD)
16.     Dn George Mathew (SCJ)
17.     Dn Fernando Livin (SCJ)
18.     Dn D’Souza Pius Carmel Mani Prabha (Shimoga)
19.     Dn Soreng Phulgames Fulgence (Gumla)
20.     Dn Minj John Crus (Jashpur)

 

Deacon Mahesh D’Souza

 

Deacon Mahesh D’Souza is from Moodubelle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick D’Souza. Dn. Mahesh D’Souza is also a contributor of articles to Bellevision. The entire Bellevision Team congratulates Dn. Mahesh D’Souza and looks forward for his being ordained a priest in the near future.