Thirty Three Deacons Ordained from Kristu Jyoti College, Bangalore
In the hallowed Shrine of St. Antony, T C Palya, on 18th March 2024, a momentous occasion unfolded, a celebration of service, commitment, and unwavering faith. On this auspicious day, 33 acolytes of Kristu Jyoti College (27 Salesians, 3 Passionists, 2 TOR Fransiscans, and 1 OSB Sylvestrian) stood before the assembly, their hearts brimming with anticipation. The president of the celebration was Most Rev. Bp. Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bangalore. The solemn occasion was blessed with the presence of Rev. Fr. Jose Thomas Koyickal, the Salesian Provincial of Bangalore, Msgr. C. Francis, The vicar General of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, Rev. Fr. Don Bosco Lourdusamy the Salesian Provincial of Chennai, Rev. Fr. Agilan Satprasadam, the Salesian Provincial of Trichy, Rev. Fr. Thomas Santiago, the Salesian Provincial of Hyderabad, Rev. Fr. Nazarius Lakra, the Salesian Vice-Provincial of Dimapur, Rev, Fr. Thomas Palakudiyil TOR, Provincial of St. Louis Province, Bangalore, Rev. Fr. Paul Cherukoduth, Provincial of the Passionists along with priests, religious, parents, relatives, and friends of the ordained deacons. The celebration began at 10 am with the solemn procession of the candidates carrying the sacred vestments and accompanied by the parents and the celebrants.
The gathering was welcomed by Fr. Bosco Ponthokkan, the Rector of KJC. His Lordship, in his introduction, prayed that the would-be deacons become beacons of Christ’s light in the world. In his sermon, the Lordship reminded them that the characteristic feature of a deacon is the compassion that comes from the heart and that their primary duty is to serve the people of God with a preferential option for the poor.
Followed by the Homily, the candidates made their promise of celibacy and obedience to their lawful superiors. It was followed by the Litany of Saints during which the candidates prostrated before the altar while the rest of the congregation prayed for them. Then His Lordship Archbishop Peter Machado ordained the brothers to diaconate by the laying on of his hands and praying the prayer of Consecration. The newly ordained deacons then wore their liturgical vestments: the stole in a diagonal style representing service and the dalmatic signifying the yoke of Christ. Another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Book of the Gospels by His Lordship to the newly ordained deacons. At the end of the grace-filled holy Eucharist Dn. Arokia Berdouil Raj proposed the vote of thanks. The ceremony concluded with a sumptuous fellowship meal.
