By Jane D'Souza for BIS Mumbai

Fr Jittin Varghese Mathew’s ordination took place on December 10, 2025 at the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna through the imposition of hands and consecratory prayer by His Grace Mar Sebastian Vaniyapurackal, Archbishop of Kalyan. The Syro Malabar rite began at 9 a.m. with the solemn entry of approximately 50 Salesian priests along with Archbishop Sebastian, the Provincial, Fr Ashley Miranda, Deacon Jittin, his parents and his elder sister who is a consecrated religious sister. The choir graced the occasion with their melodious singing in Malayalam.  The rite took place in both English and Malayalam.

 Deacon Jittin fervently knelt before the Archbishop and the Provincial and pledged to be faithful to the Catholic faith. As the ceremony continued, Deacon Jittin reverently bowed before the altar. As part of the rite, a reading from the gospel of Mark was read. This was followed by the breaking of the word by the Archbishop who spoke about Jittin’s tender devotion to Mother Mary. He also spoke of his own fondness towards Don Bosco and how coincidentally, ordaining a Salesian is his first ordination as an archbishop.

 The Archbishop then prayed over Jittin as he knelt and bowed reverently, the choir invoking the Holy Spirit for priestly grace as Jittin was now about to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Then, inviting the congregation to pray fervently for Jittin, the Archbishop placed his hand over Jittin’s head and with this, Deacon Jittin was ordained to the priesthood, and was vested in priestly robes. This was followed by anointing with chrism oil and then as the choir sang a psalm, the newly ordained Fr Jittin Varghese Mathew SDB proceeded to kiss the two ends of the altar.

 The Provincial, Fr Miranda, then addressed the congregation and thanked the archbishop and all those responsible for this day including Fr Jittin’s formators and all the priests present at the altar. Fr Miranda then presented the Archbishop with a shawl and a bouquet of flowers. Fr Jittin then celebrated his first Eucharist at 11 a.m., concelebrated by Vice Provincial, Fr Robert Pen and Fr Brian Moras.

 During his first sermon as a priest, Fr Jittin fondly remembered his childhood memories with his family, how he cherished Marian devotion as a child. He encouraged the young to be ambassadors of God, to not live for this life alone but eternal life.

 This was followed by a solemn offertory where gifts of different significance were offered at the altar. Then Fr Jittin consecrated the bread and wine for the very first time as a priest. As the Eucharistic celebration came to a close, Fr Jittin thanked his family, the Archbishop, the Provincial and his team and everyone instrumental in his vocation journey from the very beginning till this very special day.

The day concluded with the congregation giving Fr Jittin a salutation and a kiss as he begins his journey as a Salesian priest. This was followed by a sumptuous lunch to celebrate this day. All the very best, Fr Jittin, as you go forth to proclaim the gospel in your priestly ministry.