BISHOP OF MANGALORE DR PETER PAUL SALDANHA ORDAINS 4 NEW CAPUCHIN PRIESTS
Four Franciscan Capuchin deacons were ordained priests by Dr Peter Paul
Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore diocese at St Anne’s Friary Chapel, Kodialbail,
Mangaluru, on Wednesday, May 3.
The deacons who conferred to the grace of ordination were Roshan Sequeira –
Our Lady of Rosary Church, Goregaon West, Mumbai; Clement Paul D’Souza – St
Francis Xavier Church, Kenha, Mudarangadi; Joywin Dias – Sacred Heart
Church, Surathkal; and Devasya EL – St Thomas Syro-Malankara Church,
Ichalampadi,
Calling the ordination of four new priests “a wonderful day of blessing for
the Church and Capuchin Order” Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha,
preached in his homily about the style and ways of being a priest that the
news priests should remember.
He also urged the priests “to proclaim the good news of the Risen Lord Jesus
and the homilies should be well prepared.”
“We celebrate the faith and commitment of these new Capuchin priests as they
begin their priestly ministry as missionary disciples. The Holy Trinity
Province of Karnataka is blessed to have a group of dedicated ordinands in
service to God’s people,” said Fr Alwyn Dias, the provincial minister of
Karnataka.
He exhorted them “to deepen in their lives the spirit of St Francis, grow in
holiness and live in poverty.”
After the mass, a short felicitation programme was held at St Anne’s Mini
Hall where the new priests, their parents and relatives were felicitated.
The Capuchin friars remain grateful to the benefactors who have been
regularly a great source of support in the formation of the new priests and
Capuchin mission in general.
Fr Ravi Rajesh Serrao was the coordinator of the liturgy, Fr Joel Lopes led
the choir, Fr Dancy Martis was the compere for the felicitation programme
and the new priest Fr Clement D’Souza expressed thanks with gratitude to God
and all.
The Capuchin priests of the Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka are actively
involved in the work of evangelization in North-East, Madhya Pradesh, Sri
Lanka, Uganda, Japan, Middle East-Gulf, Italy, Turkey, New York, Guam,
Canada, Jerusalem and in various districts of Karnataka.