CARMELITE ORDER CELEBRATES THE ORDINATION OF 4 NEW PRIESTS AT INFANT JESUS SHRINE, MANGALORE
The afternoon of 02 May 2025 was grace filled for the Karnataka Goa Province of the Discalced Carmelite Order as four of its members — Dn Prithesh Steeve Crasta, Dn Pranay Pereira, Dn Avith Pais and Dn Stany Pinto — were ordained to the Sacred Priesthood. The solemn Eucharistic celebration took place at Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte, Mangalore and was presided over by Most Rev. Dr Francis Serrao SJ, Bishop of Shimoga Diocese.
The ordination marked the culmination of several years of seminary formation, during which the ordinand underwent spiritual, theological, pastoral and human formation in preparation for their priestly ministry. The liturgical ceremony was attended by a large number of clergy, religious, family members and faithful. The joy of the Liturgy was further enhanced by the presence of Rev. Fr Silvestre Dsouza, Provincial Superior of the Discalced Carmelites of the Karnataka-Goa Province, along with his councillors Rev. Fr Archibald Gonsalves, Rev. Fr Alphonse Britto, Rev. Fr Prakash Dcunha, Rev. Fr Joachim Rodrigues. A number of diocesan clergy too were part of the concelebrating Priests. Among them were Rev. Fr Daniel Veigas OP, the Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Rev. Fr Naveen Pinto the Judicial Vicar Mangalore Diocese, Rev. Fr Alex Kalarikal and Rev. Fr Rajesh Rosario from the seminary. As the 4 deacons were raised to the sanctity of the Altar, they also had the guiding hands of Rev. Fr Melwin Dcunha, Superior of Saint Joseph’s Monastery and Rev. Fr Deep Fernandes, Master of Theology Students, by their side.
During the homily, Bishop Francis Serrao highlighted the priestly call as one of self-giving and humble service, encouraging the newly ordained to be faithful stewards of God’s mysteries and to minister with compassion and zeal. He articulated with great clarity the role of a priest as a servant and as a minister of the Divine Sacraments. The 4 newly ordained Priests belong to a batch of 6. The remaining two deacons of the batch will be ordained in the coming days — one on Monday 19th May at Infant Jesus Shrine Mysore and the other on Wednesday 21st May at Saint Vincent De Paul Church Katpadi. The liturgy of the Ordination concluded with words of gratitude, a felicitation ceremony and delicious snacks. The Karnataka-Goa Province of the Discalced Carmelites rejoices at these 4 newly ordained Priests and wish them all God’s graces as they commence their priestly mission! Indeed, God fulfills His promise, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart.” (Jeremiah 3:15)
