Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Diocese of Udupi, ordained four deacons from the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin as priests at St Padre Pio Chapel, Assisi Nilaya, Moodubelle on 6th August, 2020.
The ordination ceremony was held in the presence of the parents of the newly ordained priests and a few other priests. Fr Sandeep D’Souza, Fr Roshan Pereira, Fr Maxim D’Souza and Fr Wilfred Naveen D’Silva were the priests ordained.
During the ceremony, all safety norms issued by the government and local administration were strictly followed.
V. Rev. Fr Alwyn Dias, provincial, Karnataka province officially invited the deacons to serve the church and its followers. Most Rev. 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.
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.”
After the Eucharistic celebration, a short felicitation program was held.