Mangaluru: The ordination ceremony of a Deacon as priests of Missionary Society of Infant Jesus (MSIJ) congregation was held at St. Lawrence Church, Bondel on Wednesday, April 11.
Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, ordained the Deacon as Fr. Ashok Nalla. Bishop also celebrated the Holy Eucharist as the main celebrant. In his homily, the Bishop said that the ordained priests have the onerous responsibility of preaching the word of God. He also urged them to work towards uplifting of the underprivileged sections of the society.
Fr. Lawrence Pinto, Fr. Andrew D Souza, Fr. Vinod Lobo, Fr. Joseph, Fr Peter and Fr. Rajappa were the co-celebrants. Fr. Ronald Serrao, professor of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangaluru, led the liturgical ceremony.
After the Eucharistic celebration, a short felicitation programme was organized by the MSIJ.
The newly ordained priest Fr. Ashok Nalla hails from Pallivela Parish of East Godavari Diocese, Andhra Pradesh. He completed his theological study at St Joseph Seminary, Mangaluru.
The order MSIJ, which has its headquarters at Kavoor in Mangaluru, was formed in 2005 by Fr Lawrence Pinto.
