Six Jesuit deacons were ordained priests by Rt Rev Francis Searrao, Bishop of Shimoga, on October 14 in the Divine Mercy Church, Fatima Retreat House. The newly ordained priests are: Frs Ashwin D’Silva, Jaison Lobo, Vinod Saldanha, Vishal Pinto, Arvin Pais and Leston Lobo.

In his homily, the Bishop expressed his joy in ordaining the six zealous young men of the Society of Jesus for the service of Christ and His Church. He exhorted the ordinandi on their privilege as well as their responsibility in participating in the ministerial priesthood. He invited the deacons to reflect Christ in their life as servants after the heart of Christ who washed the feet of His disciples.

The Provincial, Fr Dionysius Vaz, thanked the Bishop and all present – priests, religious, friends and relatives of the new priests.

After the Mass the new priests and their parents and relatives were felicitated. Fr Leston Lobo spoke on behalf of the new priests and thanked all the persons who had, at different stages of their life, accompanied them on their journey towards priesthood.

Fr Anush D’Cunha and Sch Elson Lobo prepared the deacons for the ordination ceremony with the beautiful liturgy. Fr William Marcel Rodrigues was the Master of Ceremonies at the Ordination Mass.