Pics: Stanley Bantwal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Apr 11: The ordination ceremony of Missionary Society of Infant Jesus (MSIJ) congregation deacon was held at St Lawrence Church, Bondel on Wednesday, April 11.

Bishop of Mangaluru diocese, Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, ordained Deacon Ashok Nalla.

Bishop also celebrated the Holy Eucharist as main celebrant.

In his homily, the Bishop said the newly ordained priest has the onerous responsibility of preaching the word of God. He also urged him to work towards the upliftment of the underprivileged sections of the society.

Fr Lawrence Pinto, Fr Andrew D’Souza, Fr Vinod Lobo, and Fr Joseph, Fr Peter and Fr Rajappa were the co-celebrants of the Holy Eucharist. Fr Ronald Serrao, professor of St Joseph’s Seminary, Mangaluru, led the liturgical ceremony.

Fr Lawrence Pinto, the founder of MSIJ congregation, read out the name of the deacon and he stood up to say "I am present". The bishop asked the founder about the willingness and preparation of the deacon to be the priest of the congregation. The founder replied, "I have found that he is worthy to be priest of the Catholic Church”. Then the bishop ordained the deacon as priest as per Catholic tradition.

After the Eucharist celebration, a short felicitation programme was organized by MSIJ.

The newly ordained priest, Fr Ashok Nalla is from Pallivela parish of East Godavari Diocese, Andhra Pradesh. He completed his theological study from St Charles Seminary, Nagpur.

MSIJ was formed on 2005 by Fr Lawrence Pinto. The headquarters of MSIJ is at Kavoor, Mangaluru.