Amid dwindling vocations and increasing pastoral needs, the Discalced Carmelites of the Karnataka-Goa Province, India, received five new deacons on October 3. The ordination ceremony was held at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Bikarnakatte, Mangalore, with Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha of Mangalore presiding.
The five Carmelite brothers ordained to the diaconate are: Bro. Alwin D’Souza (Nirkan, Mangalore Diocese), Bro. Elston Monteiro (Eliyar Padavu, Mangalore Diocese), Bro. Hilary Bodtol Rodrigues (Hosad, Karwar Diocese), Bro. Stin George M.R. (Suntikoppa, Mysore Diocese), and Bro. Loy Jackson Crasta (Bajjodi, Mangalore Diocese).
Fr. Pius James Fernandes OCD, Definitor General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Philbert Namphande OCD, Definitor General, Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, Vicar Provincial, and several other priests concelebrated the Eucharist.
In his homily, Bishop Saldanha urged the newly ordained deacons to deepen their relationship with God and to serve His people with fidelity and love. “Since every Sacrament instituted by Jesus is a mystery, those who enter into the diaconate also enter into the mystery of God, the mystery of His service and the service of His people,” he said. Highlighting the Carmelite charism, he stressed the importance of prayer in strengthening their ministry of service.
The Bishop reminded the deacons that following Jesus entails laying down one’s life daily in a form of “white martyrdom” and, if God wills, even to the point of martyrdom itself. He also emphasized the sacred link between the Chalice and the life of a deacon: “Deacons prepare the Chalice, elevate it at the doxology, and distribute Communion to the faithful in both species. The life of the deacon is closely united with the Chalice.”
Pointing to their mission as ministers of the Word of God, he exhorted them to be not only proclaimers but also doers of the Word. “Serve others with love, strengthened by your deep relationship with God,” Bishop Saldanha urged.
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Saldanha congratulated the new deacons, thanked their parents, and expressed gratitude to the Carmelites for their dedicated ministry, especially through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Fr. Roshan Monteiro OCD served as liturgical commentator, theology brothers animated the liturgy, and the Carmel Choir led the singing. Fr. Melvin D’Cunha OCD, Superior of St. Joseph Monastery, offered the vote of thanks.
A felicitation program followed, anchored by Fr. Stifan Pereira OCD. On the occasion, the Konkani book Highway to Heaven by Fr. Joseph Cyril D’Souza OCD was released. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves OCD, Vicar Provincial, addressed the gathering, and Deacon Elston Monteiro expressed gratitude on behalf of the newly ordained.
(Br. John Malvino Alfonso, OCD, is a member of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, based at Avila Jyothi, Mapusa, Goa, India.)
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