By Jane D’Souza for BIS Mumbai

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, the Salesian family of the INB Province welcomed three newly ordained priests during the solemn Eucharist celebrated by Archbishop John Rodrigues and concelebrated by Provincial, Fr Ashley Miranda and Vice Provincial, Fr Robert Pen, at the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, Matunga. Fathers Aegidius Pereira, Christopher Nadar and Sheldon Dias received the Sacrament of Holy Orders during this Mass.

 The service began with the entry of Salesian priests of the INB Province followed by the deacons and their families along with the archbishop while the choir sang soulfully as the procession continued. The rite of ordination then began after the gospel was proclaimed with Fr Provincial presenting the candidates before the archbishop.

 Bishop Rodrigues then proceeded with the breaking of the Word where using examples from the readings he spoke of how our plans are often different from God’s plans and how when both these plans coincide, something wonderful takes place. He spoke of how God has prepared the deacons through their family members all through their lives. He encouraged the deacons to be obedient to God as they continue seeking God’s will and follow in the footsteps of Don Bosco. He also thanked the parents of the candidates for the gift of their sons to the priesthood and the Salesian congregation.

 The rite of ordination then continued with the candidates answering questions asked by the archbishop. The bishop then invited the congregation to pray for the candidates as the choir sang the litany of the saints while the candidates prostrated themselves before the altar.

 After this, the archbishop, the Provincial and the Vice Provincial followed by all Salesian priests present, laid hands on the three candidates. After the bishop invoked priestly blessings on the candidates, they were ordained to the priesthood. The three newly ordained priests then joined the celebrant and concelebrants to celebrate the Holy Eucharist.

 After the breaking of the bread and distribution of the holy communion, Fr Miranda thanked the archbishop for ordaining the priests and the parents and family members of the priests along with their formators. The newly ordained Fr Christopher Nadar then gave thanks to everyone involved in their vocation journey on behalf of the three priests. Archbishop John Rodrigues then congratulated the Salesians and the three priests and appealed to the congregation for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

 After the final blessing and the first priestly blessing of the newly ordained priests, there was a photo session with their respective families followed by the kissing of their hands by the congregation.

 Congratulations to the newly ordained priests! May God bless and guide you all in your priestly ministry.