23 Seminarians Ordained as Deacons at St Joseph’s Interdiocesan Seminary, Mangalore

In his homily during the solemn Mass, Bishop Saldanha emphasized the essential roles of deacons in serving the Church at the three pivotal tables: the Table of the Word, the Table of the Bread, and the Table of Charity. He urged the new deacons to fully embrace their duties in serving both the Church and the community. The Bishop also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the parents of the deacons, who have offered their sons to God’s service.

The ordination ceremony saw a large congregation of priests, religious leaders, and faithful from various dioceses. Notable concelebrants included Fr Ravi Kumar, Superior General of the MSIJ Congregation; Msgr Jenson Puthenveettil, Vicar General of the Diocese of Calicut; Msgr Maxim Noronha, Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore; and Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao, Rector of St Joseph’s Seminary.

Following the Eucharistic celebration, Rev. Dr Ronald Serrao expressed gratitude to the Bishop and all who contributed to the event’s success. On behalf of the newly ordained deacons, Dn Jeevan Lobo thanked the formators, priests, and supporters of their formation journey.

The 23 new deacons represent a diverse array of dioceses and congregations, including six for the Carmelite Congregation, four for the Diocese of Mangalore, and others from dioceses including Calicut, Itanagar, Trivandrum, Jashpur, Neyyattinkara, Ambikapur, and Verapoly.

The ordination was followed by a celebratory meal, uniting family members, well-wishers, and seminarians to rejoice in the commitment of the newly ordained deacons to their vocations. The Catholic Church in Mangalore celebrates this significant occasion, praying for the new deacons as they embark on their ministry and prepare for their future ordination to the priesthood.

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