By Cl. Arun Mendonca and Cl. Ian Pinto for BISMumbai

25 and 26 February 2023 have been intense days for the community of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Koregaon Park. On 25 February, Cl. Nigel Pinto and Cl. Ian Pinto were ordained deacons by Rev. Bp. Thomas Dabre. On the following day, Fr Savio Silveira, the Provincial of the Province of Bombay, conferred the ministries of Lector and Acolyte on 5 cleric students. 

The diaconate ordination was held at Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada, Pune. Bp Dabre, in his homily, stressed on the important and courageous choice they had made to serve the Lord radically as Salesians of Don Bosco. Highlighting the value of celibacy, he said that it gives freedom to dedicate oneself completely for the sake of the other, following our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Following the ordination, a short felicitation programme was held for the two deacons in Don Bosco Youth Centre – Pune, where they reside. The Community along with the guests, parents and family members of the deacons, and other invitees gathered to congratulate the deacons for the brave choice and commitment they have made and to celebrate this milestone in their life. Fr Banzelao Teixeira, the Vice Provincial of the Province of Panjim-Konkan felicitated the two deacons. Fr Ashley Miranda, the Vice Provincial of the Province of Bombay raised the toast  for the deacons on behalf of the community.  

Deacon Ian Pinto hails from Panjim, Goa. As a young lad he would attend mass in the chapel where he stays. It was there that he first encountered Don Bosco in the person of Fr Edwin Baracho, the then Principal of Don Bosco, Panjim. From then on, he had committed himself completely to dedicate his life as a son of Don Bosco for the empowerment of the young entrusted to his care. Deacon Nigel Pinto hails from Santa Cruz, Goa. He joined the Aspirantate of Don Bosco, Panjim, after completing Class 12. 

The Diaconate Ordination is the first level of the sacrament of Holy Orders, where the Bishop ordains candidates who have been adequately prepared and who pledge service to God and people. The ordained deacons will now spend time in preparing themselves for their priestly ordination which will be held in December 2023. In the meantime they will be appointed to different Salesian Houses where they will get opportunities to understand and deepen their calling and exercise ministry as deacons. 

The house of Don Bosco Youth Centre is dedicated to the formation of brothers preparing for the priesthood. Here they engage in the final phase of the initial formation where they primarily focus on the study of theology while at the same time being involved in pastoral ministry among young people, mostly in parishes but also in the daily oratory. As per the tradition of the house which is in keeping with the teaching of the Church, towards the end of each academic year, the brothers receive a ministry which is seen as a step in the formation process culminating in the ordination to the priesthood. 

Cl.  Jittin Varghese received the ministry of Lector and Cls. Agnel Dias, Joswin D’Souza, Jeswin Mastan and Arun Mendonca received the ministry of Acolyte. We keep them in our prayers as they continue their journey to the priesthood.