Welcome to the Jesuit Family! Six Deacons Ordained as Jesuit Priests by Mangaluru Bishop
Welcome to the Jesuit Family! Six Deacons Ordained as Jesuit Priests by Mangaluru Bishop Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, on Friday, 18 October 2019 at Fatima Retreat House Chapel.
Mangaluru : “JESUITS”, are the members of the Society of Jesus founded by St Ignatius Loyola. From the beginning Jesuits have been a body of men creative in thought, original in their style and ready to go anywhere and perform any task for Christ with the motto “For The Greater Glory of God”. The call to become a Jesuit Priest beckoned six men from in and around Dakshina Kannada, and the surrounding areas in the Karnataka Province Society of Jesus Congregation during a glamorous Ordination Ceremony held at Fatima Retreat House Chapel on Friday, 18 October, and this was the day that these six young deacons were waiting for, after years of studying, ministering, and praying, these Jesuits were ordained Catholic priests.
The Jesuits are a Roman Catholic order of priests and brothers founded nearly 500 plus years ago by St. Ignatius of Loyola. With more than 16,000 plus priests, scholastics and brothers worldwide, they are the largest male religious order in the Catholic Church. But by looking at all these six young men hailing from remote areas, I was just wandering what has happened to young Catholic young men from the city, who have neglected their religion and faith- either they spend much of their time chatting on their smart phones, having intimate time with their female friends, loitering around the mall doing nothing etc etc- too sad to note, the young men from the city were not joining the Jesuit congregation, and do not want to serve the Lord- and like Fr. Jerome Stanislaus D’Souza, Provincial of the Jesuits in Karnataka said during his speech at the felicitation programme today, “I ask the Catholic youth in avoiding seeing at young girls more, instead focus their eyes towards Jesus Christ, and love Him and decide to serve Him”.
But anyways, while the world is having a tough time to get youngsters to serve the Lord as priests, and while many Churches are closing down due to shortage of priests, however, on the outset to all these six young deacons who have come forward to spread the message of Jesus Christ and who are ready to serve Him, I say a BIG THANK YOU- the Jesuit Congregation does need you very badly, when many other young men are staying away from God, and show lack of interest in their religion/faith. May God bless all you six deacons, and may you all be joyful priests, and priests who’ll be interested in people and that can help people see how God is already working in their life.
The Six Young Deacons ordained were- Fr Joel Praveen Fernandes ( Fermai parish); Fr Jeevan Santhosh D’Souza (Balkunje parish) ; Fr Merwyn Lloyd Fernandes ( Hosabettu parish) Fr Jeevan Gomes (Kanajar parish); Lawrence Ronald Serrao (Taccode parish); and Melwyn Roshan Fernandes (Bajpe parish). The Ordination of these deacons was done by Most Rev. Peter Paul D’souza, the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, amidst a bevy of nearly twenty clergy at the alter, joined by a large number of Jesuit priests and priests of other congregation in the audience. Fr Anand Pereira, Representative of provincial head, Kohima province, was the co celebrant.
There were smiles everywhere as well as a few tears of joy, gratitude, and possibly relief. Perhaps the most moving part of the ceremony was when, after the anointing and the laying on of hands by the Bishop, all the con-celebrating priests were invited to come forward and lay hands on the new ordinands. The mass was beautifully sung by the choir, under the leadership pf Suraj Noronha. After mass many people queued to receive a blessing from the new priests. It takes many people to make a good priest. Ordination, for those called to be Jesuit priests, is the culmination of a long and sometimes arduous journey in formation. The Jesuit formation process is famously rigorous. A Jesuit first spends two years as a novice, living in community and learning about Ignatian spirituality, the distinct collection of spiritual practices and prayers developed by St. Ignatius and his companions, while also experiencing work in Jesuit ministries and making a 30-day silent retreat.
After pronouncing vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, Jesuits begin studies as a brother or scholastic, taking courses in philosophy and theology for three years before entering another two-to-three-year period called regency, during which they work full-time in a Jesuit ministry, usually as a teacher in a high school or university. Jesuits who are called to priestly ministry spend another three years in formal theology studies before being ordained. Priests and brothers later spend a year in tertianship, a time during which they review their formation, make another 30-day retreat, and profess final vows in the Society of Jesus. Following ordination, the five Jesuits will be missioned to their next assignment by the provincial of the Karnataka Jesuits.
In his homily Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha said, “It’s great to celebrate something so important in our lives and the life of the Church. It takes many people to make a good priest: people to teach us, people to challenge us, people to listen to us. Many of those who have formed us in our vocations are here today. We pray that you continue to encourage many more young people in the same way. If you are not in love with Jesus Christ, You cannot be Jesuits or Christians”. The Bishop emphasized on Seven hallmarks of priesthood as understood and envisaged by Pope Francis. “The strength of a priest depends on his relationship with Christ, his closeness to Christ must translate into closeness to the people he serves, his authority must be linked to service, he must be an untiring minister of mercy and forgiveness, avoid vanity and pursue simplicity of life, must be a model of integrity and become a source of constant blessing to people” added Bishop.
L-R : Joel Fernandes, Melwyn Fernandes, and Jeevan Gomes
The Bishop also stressed on the importance of ministering to the poorest of the poor, the weak, the marginalized and those easily forgotten. To do this, he said “Priests must leave their comfort zones and have real contact with the poor and marginalized”. Reiterating Pope Francis’ exhortation he also stressed “There can be no place for priests in haughty clericalism, any kind of abuse of their position or a concern to climb the ecclesial career ladder. Priests should understand that authority derives not from worldly power but from personal integrity and humility in imitation of Christ”. During the homily, He also enumerated the meaning and challenges of being a priest in the modern world. “A priest is from among the people and he is called to be a mediator between God and people. He is not someone with special gifts and talents. He too is weak and fragile just like anyone else. And it is here that he needs to be in communion with God and also he needs the prayers of the faithful,” added Rev Dr Saldanha.
Ronald Serrao, Jeevan D’souza, & Merwyn Fernandes
The ordination ceremony was followed by a short felicitation function. Speaking on the occasion, Provincial of the Karnataka Jesuit Province, Fr. Stanislaus D’Souza, thanked the parents of the newly ordained priests for their magnanimity and generosity in offering their sons to the service of God. “It is only because of the seeds of faith sowed in our Catholic families by the parents that young men respond generously to the call to serve of God. I call upon more young Catholic men to respond generously should God inspire them to be priests,” said Fr Stanislaus. And in a lighter side of vein, he said, “I am happy to note these six young men instead of playing those Konkani love songs trying to get the attention of their love birds, has set their music tunes on the Smart phone to religious hymns, thereby showing their love towards Jesus. I urge the young Catholic men to stop looking at young girls, instead they should set their eyes on Jesus Christ, and decide to love Him, and join our Congregation to serve Him”.
While thanking Bishop Saldanha, for ordaining the new Jesuit priests, which happens to be the First one in ordaining priests of the Society of Jesus Congregation (Jesuit Priests), Fr Stanislaus SJ said “We wish that Bishop’s relationship with the Jesuits will be like a fatherly figure”, and to the newly ordained Jesuit priests, he said “In all your years of formation you said ‘Jesus you are for me and I am for you’. Continue to live up to those words all through your priestly ministry”. The Bishop was felicitated on the occasion by the Provincial Fr Stanislaus SJ.
The commentary during the ordination ceremony was done by Br Ovin, a prospective Jesuit priest, and Kudos to Fr Pradeep Crasta SJ, the Director of “Loyola” the pre-Jesuit novitiate, for all the arrangements and proceedings of this Ordination Ceremony in a systematic and grand manner. Thanking all those who were responsible for them to become Jesuit priests, Fr Merwyn Fernandes SJ one of the new priests, said that it is only because of the sacrifices of many people, including parents, formators and superiors that they were able to be priests. “I must say, God has been generous to all of us. At the same time, I must not forget the great contribution many people have made in our life and their sacrifices. We are grateful to all of them. Thank you everyone for making this day a memorable one for us,” he added.
Following the formal function, the relatives and friends of the newly ordained priests came forward to wish them, following which a sumptuous meal was served. But unfortunately Mother Nature put a spell on the celebration in the form of heavy rains, so the lunch which was all set in a open air atmosphere was shifted indoors- seems like our new Jesuit priests had prayed for rains earlier when the city was lacking rains, but they never expected God to punish their ordination celebration. Oh well!- but everything went on well- rain or shine! Now that preparation for the priesthood is over, each new priest is eager to serve Jesus Christ. They will assigned to a variety of ministries: working at parishes and retreat centers, promoting vocations to the Society, continuing their studies toward advanced degrees and teaching at Jesuit schools.
In conclusion, in my perspective, the newly ordained Jesuit Priests should ask for themselves- ‘What can I do for the Society? What can I offer the Society?’ One way or another, it’s being able to help others. The priests should look forward to helping their communities connect with and find God. I hope these new Jesuit priests would in some way help unite people with each other and with God. These new priests should “seriously exercise the religious life of consecrated persons” through prayer and pastoral services, because they are called to give themselves and their whole life to God through his Church. Team Mangaloraen extend heartfelt wishes and God’s blessings to the six ordained Jesuit Priests. Be Proud to be born in Karnataka, and Be Proud to be a Jesuit! Long Live the Jesuit Priests! And above all, I feel proud to be a Aloysian having studied at St Aloysius Institution, right from primary to B Sc graduation, and I owe my success to the Jesuit priests for providing the best education and morals.
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Deacon : SEQUEIRA MELWYN KEVIN
Melwyn Sequeira was born on 22/06/1986 in Fermai, Mangalore, to Ambrose and Evelyn Sequeira. He joined the Society of Jesus in 19.06.2005 at MSJ, Bangalore. His Mother tongue is Konkani, but also speaks English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada. After completing SSLC, and after joining SJ: in 2007-2008: Juniorate, Trivandurm; 2008- 2011: BA at Karnataka University Dharwad; 2011-2013: Philosophy, Pune; and 2015- 2018: Theology, RTC/ JDV(2017-2018). his Apostolic activities, experience, status: 2013-2014: Regency, Yr 1, MSJ Bangalore; and 2014-2015: Regency, Yr 2, LVK Mundgod
Deacon DSOUZA VISHAL WILSON
He was born on 22/06/1987 in Ferar, Mangaluru to Felix D’souza and Asuntha D’souza. He Entered SJ date on 19.06.2005 at MSJ, Bangalore. His Mother tongue is Konkani, but also speaks English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada. Studies before joining SJ: SSLC; and Studies after joining SJ: 2007-2008: Juniorate, Trivandurm; 2008- 2011: St Aloysius College; 2011-2013: Philosophy, Pune; and 2015- 2018: Theology, RTC/ JDV(2017-2018) His Apostolic activities, experience, status: 2013-2014: Regency, Yr 1, Manvi; and 2014-2015: Regency, Yr 2, Indian High School
Deacon D’SOUZA ALWYN :
He was born on 17.05.1986 in Nellyadi, to Joseph Dsouza (Late ) and Esthel DSouza. Entered Society of Jesus on 19.06.2004 at MSJ, Bangalore. His Mother tongue is Konkani, but also speaks English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada. His studies before joining SJ is PUC; and Studies after joining SJ: 2006-2007: Juniorate, Trivandrum( Kerala); 2007-2010: BA VN, Dharwad; 2011- 2013- Philosophy, SN, Chennai; 2014-2015- B.Ed Christ University; 2015- Theology, RTC. His Apostolic activities, experience, status: 2010-11 : Regency, Yr 1 , MSJ; 2013-2014 : Regency Yr 2, Hassan
Deacon JOYSON SUJAY VAS
He was born on 18.06.1987 in Neermarga, Mangaluru to Joachim Valerian Vas and Sophia Vas. He entered SJ on 19.06.2008 at MSJ, Bangalore. His Mother tongue is Konkani, but also English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada; Studies before joining SJ: B Com at St Aloysius College, Mangalore; and Studies after joining SJ: 2010-2011: Juniorate, Trivandurm; 2011-2013: Philosophy JDV; and 2015-2018: Theology at RTEC Anekal and JD. His Apostolic activities, experience, status: 2013-2014: Regency, Yr 1, Loyola Mangalore; and 2014-2015: Regency, Yr 2, Jakhama, Nagaland
Deacon DON PREM LOBO
He was born on 07.08.1987 in Kelarai/Neermarga, Mangaluru to Thomas Lobo and Veronica Lobo. He entered SJ on 19.06.2005 at MSJ, Bangalore. His Mother tongue is Konkani, but also speaks English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada, French. Studies before joining SJ: PUC; and Studies after joining SJ: 2004-2005: Juniorate, Trivandrum; 2009-2011: B Sc VN, Dharwad; 2011-2014: Philosophy, Paris; 2015- 2017: Theology, RTC. His Apostolic activities, experience, status: 2014-2015: Regency, Manvi
Deacon CRASTA PRADEEP
He was born on 10.07.1986 in Siddakatte-DK to Lawrence Crasta and Monica Crasta. He entered SJ date: 19.06.2004 at MSJ, Bangalore. His Mother tongue is Konkani, also speaks English, Hindi, Tulu, Kannada. Studies before joining SJ: PUC; and Studies after joining SJ: 2006-2007: Juniorate, Trivandurm; 2007-2010: B Sc VN, Dharwad; 2010-2012: Philosophy, JDV Pune; 2014-2015: B.Ed, Christ University Bangalore; 2015- 2018 Theology, RTC and JDV, Pune. His Apostolic activities, experience, status: 2012-2013: Regency, Yr 1, Loyola Pre-Novitiate Mangalore; and 2013-2014: Regency, Yr 2, Loyola Vikasa Kendra, Hanagal
