Four Carmelite deacons ordained priests at Infant Jesus Shrine

Mangaluru: Four Discalced Carmelite deacons were ordained priests at the Infant Jesus Shrine here Thursday by Bishop of Mangalore Fr Peter Paul Saldanha.

The newly ordained priests are Rev Fr Alwyn D’Souza, Rev Fr Loy Jackson Crasta, Rev Fr Elston Monteiro and Rev Fr Hilary Rodrigues.

In his homily, Bishop Saldanha reminded the newly ordained priests that the priesthood is a call to imitate Jesus Christ, the Lamb who sacrificed himself for the salvation of humanity. He emphasised that a priest is called not only to be a minister but also “priest and victim,” offering his life sacrificially in service of God’s people.

Citing the example of Padre Pio, the Bishop stressed that a priest must remain close to the people entrusted to him. Quoting the saint, he said: “For you I am a priest; with you I am a brother.” He noted that the priest stands as a victim at the altar in self-offering and as a compassionate judge in the confessional, ministering with mercy, humility and zeal for souls.

Addressing the newly ordained Carmelite priests, the Bishop invited them to imbibe the spirit of Prophet Elijah, the inspiration of the Carmelite Order.

The Bishop also appreciated the Discalced Carmelites for their dedicated service to the Diocese and the wider Church, particularly commending their innovative and creative approaches in evangelisation and their pioneering use of modern means to reach people spiritually.

Fr Alwyn D’Souza hails from St Thomas Church, Rev Fr Elston Monteiro belongs to Holy Cross Church, and Rev Fr Loy Jackson Crasta, belonging to Infant Mary Church, is the first priest from the parish. Rev Fr Hilary Rodrigues hails from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in the Diocese of Karwar.

The solemn ordination ceremony was attended by around 130 priests, religious sisters, family members and faithful from various places.

Fr John Francis Sequeira, the newly elected Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Discalced Carmelites, expressed gratitude to the parents for generously offering their sons to serve the Church through the Carmelite Order.

Meanwhile, two other Carmelite deacons were ordained in their native parishes. Rev Fr Ruban KV was ordained on May 10 in his hometown parish. Fr Ruban, from Siddapur, completed his theological studies at Teresianum, Rome, and will return to Rome for pastoral ministry. On May 11, Bishop Henry D’Souza ordained Rev Fr Stin George in his native parish at Suntikoppa in the Diocese of Mysuru.