St. Charles Seminary witnesses Ordination to Diaconate every year and though we are familiar with the ceremony, there is a fresh feeling of joy and gladness each time this celebration takes place. This year this auspicious day fell on 12-02-2022.
His grace, Most Rev. Dr. Elias Gonsalves, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nagpur was the ordaining prelate and main celebrant of the Holy Eucharist, and along with him there were 15 priests concelebrating at the alter including the Vicar General of the of Nagpur Archdiocese Fr. Jerome Pinto and the Rector of St. Charles seminary Fr. Aquin Noronha. The Archbishop, in his homily, highlighted the special mission to serve that is entrusted to the deacons and its relevance in the light of the Synodal preparation that is going on.
The following brothers are ordained as deacons: Br. Brayan J. F. of diocese of Ajmer, Br. Yacub Toppo of diocese of Ambikapur, Br. Mukesh Kumar of diocese of Buxar, Br. Fijichson Marak of diocese of Guwahati, Br. Manish Barla of diocese of Khunti and Br. Sandeep Kandulna of diocese of Khunti. Rev. Deacon Sandeep Kandulna, on behalf of the newly ordained deacons, thanked God, the Archbishop, Seminary staff and student brothers, the choir and all who prepared them for the ordination to diaconate. Fr. Joshua Moonjapilly was the master of the ceremonies and Br. Kshitiz Kujur gave the commentary. At the end of the solemn celebration a group photo was taken of newly ordained deacons with the Archbishop and all the concelebrants.
There was a small gathering, held in the old auditorium to felicitate the deacons. Br. Premento Narzary took charge of this event and animated the felicitation program. Deacons were congratulated with flowers and their diaconate certificates. There was the cutting of the cake after felicitation, while the choir members of St. Charles Seminary sang the blessing hymn ‘There shall be showers of blessings….’ The Archbishop said the grace over the meal and the congregation proceeded to enjoy the festive dinner.
