On the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, Thursday, 06 August 2020, the Capuchin friars of the Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka, praised God and celebrated the ordination of four priests at Assisi Nilaya, Moodubelle. Four Capuchin deacons Sandeep Dsouza, Roshan Pereira, Wilfred D’Silva and Maxim D’Souza were ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese. The four newly ordained Capuchin friars hail from Hosad, Karwar; Beluvai, Mangaluru; Kable, Shimoga and Vorkady, Mangaluru respectively.

The Bishop, in his homily emphasized the gift and greatness of priesthood. He invited the newly ordained to realize the greatness of their call and said that “the priestly vocation is a God’s call. A priest is chosen to become the herald of the Gospel and to minister God’s mercy, reconciliation and proclaim liberation, in the world today where everything seems to be constantly and rapidly changing.”

“We are blessed with four priests this year and we rejoice with them. As Capuchins we are sent and one should be ready to go wherever he is sent. The motivating factor of our mission and service is our vow of obedience,” said Rev. Fr Alwyn Dias, Provincial Minister of the Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka while addressing the gathering after the ordination ceremony.

One among the newly ordained Fr Roshan Pereira while thanking said, “We are ordained during these difficult days and inconveniences we have been facing these days have motivated all four of us to serve the suffering humanity.” With a deep gratitude in his heart he thanked parents, vocation promoters, formators, all the provincial ministers and benefactors whose love and support nurtured their vocation and the Capuchin call.

The ceremony was very different from normal. Owing to Covid-19 pandemic and norms of the government only a few priests and close members of family could participate and witness the joyous event. However, live streaming of the ceremony was made possible on Capuchins Mangalore YouTube Channel. Fr Charles Furtado, Director Assisi Nilaya welcomed the gathering, choir was led by Fr Joel and Fr Jawahar Cutinho and postulants, the ordination ceremony and liturgy was animated by Fr Jason Pais and Fr Manohar D’Souza compered felicitation program.