Karkala: Deacon Vijay Joyson D’Souza of St John Bosco Church Kelmbet – Bola was ordained as priest under the leadership of Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo at the Kelmbet Church here on April 28.
Deacon Vijay Joyson is the son of Joseph and Nathalia D’Souza. The deacon was ordained during the Eucharistic Mass offered by the bishop, who was the main celebrant. More than 40 priests were present on the occasion.
The bishop in his homily pointed out the status and responsibilities of a priest in the church. Later, the newly ordained priest concelebrated the Holy Eucharist with the bishop. Fr Stephen D’Souza, Diocesan Biblical and Catechetical Centre animated the Liturgy which included the laying of hands, prostration during the singing of the litany and the anointing of the hands with ‘chrism oil’. The respective parish priests adorned the newly ordained in priestly vestments.
After the Eucharist on behalf of the diocese, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobofelicitated the new priest along with the Vicar General Msgr Baptist Menezes. The bishop greeted the new priest and thanked his parents for being generous to give their son to the diocese to serve as priest. In the short felicitation programme that followed the Mass.
In his Thanksgiving speech, Fr Vijay D’Souza recalled the role of his parents in supporting him in his vocation. He recalled the help and support rendered to him right from his childhood till the day of his ordination and thanked his family members, relatives, teachers in school and professors in the college, teachers in seminary, friends, well-wishers and all those who had helped in organizing the ordination ceremony in the church and making the felicitation function a grand success.
Fr Ronald D’Souza Vicar General of Lucknow Diocese, Fr Paul D’Souza, Fr Remand Lopis parish priest of St John Bosco Church Bola-Kelmbet, Fr AlbanD’Souza Parish priest Stella Maris Church Kalmadi, Fr Reginald Pinto directorSAMPADA Udupi diocese and others were present.
Hearty congratulations. God bless.