By Mr Ajinkya Parkhe for BISMumbai

On 3 March 2024, Clerics Jeswin Mastan and Agnel Dias of the Salesian Province of Bombay (INB) and Clerics Joswin D'Souza and Arun Mendonca from the Salesian Province of Panjim (INP) were ordained as deacons by Rev. Bishop John Rodrigues, Bishop of the Diocese of Poona, at Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada.

This momentous occasion, marked by the theme ‘Called in Love to Serve’ taken from the Gospel of Luke 22:27, was a renewed dedication to serving the church and its people. The solemn eucharistic celebration was attended by about 25 priests. Fr Savio Silvera - Provincial of INB, and Fr Clive Telles - Provincial of INP were present for the occasion. 

During his homily, Bishop Rodrigues emphasised the theme of the day's readings as well as the role of the deacon and his ministry. He summed up by saying, "To be a deacon is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ." 

Fr Silvera thanked the families and the Salesian community for their help in making the clerics more community-oriented. Dn Mendonca expressed gratitude on behalf of all the newly-ordained deacons to the Bishop, the Provincials, the congregation, family and friends for making this journey worthwhile with their loving presence. 

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 preparing themselves for their priestly ordination, which will be held in December 2024. 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, Koregaon Park, 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. 

Clerics Jittin Varghese and Christopher Nadar received the ministry of Acolyte on 4 March. We keep them in our prayers as they continue their journey to the priesthood.