Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Diocese of Udupi, ordained four deacons from the Holy Cross Congregation as priests on Wednesday, July 8 at Katapadi parish.
The ordination ceremony was held in the presence of the parents of the newly ordained priests and few other priests from Udupi Diocese. Fr Boneventure Lobo, Honavar, Fr Pretham Menezes, Udupi, Fr Vijith Mathais, Moodubelle, and Fr Joel Mendonca, Pangla were the priests ordained.
During the ceremony, all safety norms issued by the government and local bodies were strictly followed during this pandemic.
Fr Roque D’Costa, provincial, Southern province officially invited the deacons to serve the church and its followers. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo accepted the deacons' willingness to be the servants of God and ordained them as priests. He celebrated the Holy Eucharist with the new priests. Fr Norbert D’Mello administrator CSC South, Fr Terence director, Holy Cross Students Home, Katapadi and other priests were the co-celebrants.
In his homily, the bishop of Udupi diocese said, “A priest is chosen from the people to serve them. The ordained priests will celebrate the Holy Eucharist. They will celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. They will forgive the sins of the people in the name of Christ. They will pray for us and will unite us with their love and mission. Jesus gave His life to the people and I urge all the priests to be the life of the people. You all shall preach the word of God and live according to the life and morals of Christ. May Christ be an example to you all and may you serve the people with all your will.”
In his message, Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, said, “Priest is a person of God and his mission is to preach the people and be a servant of God. Their mission starts today. They have been waiting for this day for a long time, they have strived hard for this day. I congratulate their parents who encouraged them to serve God and be a soldier of Christ. May God bless you a hundred folds for the sacrifices you have done towards your children. Today they have become priests but we need to keep them in our prayers and pray for their mission in coming days. May they walk in the footsteps of Christ.”
After the Eucharistic celebration, a short felicitation programme was held.