The Congregation of Holy Cross rejoiced with six priestly Ordinations over April and May. There were two Ordinations for each of the Congregation’s three priestly Provinces in India: Tamil Nadu, South India, and North East India.

Province of Tamil Nadu

The Ordinations began with the Province of Tamil Nadu during the Easter Octave. Fr. Martin Madalai Muthu, C.S.C., was ordained on April 5 by the Most Rev. Dr. S. Singaroyan, Bishop of the Diocese of Salem. The Mass was held at Holy Spirit Church in Agraharam, Salem.

With members of Fr. Martin’s family, friends, and a large contingent of Holy Cross religious led by Fr. Gaspar Selvaraj, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of Tamil Nadu, it was truly a joyous and hopeful occasion. The gratitude spilled over into a reception that followed and then Fr. Martin’s Mass of Thanksgiving the following day at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, Agraharam in Salem.

Later that same day, April 6, Fr. A. David Peter, C.S.C., was ordained at Our Lady of Assumption Church in P. Udayapatti, Trichy. The ordaining bishop was the Most Rev. Savarimuthu Arokiaraj, Bishop of the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli.

Once again, the family, friends, and religious gathered made it a reverent and festive occasion. Fr. David celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving in the same church in which he was ordained the next day, April 7. 

Learn more about what Holy Cross is doing in India

For their first assignments, Fr. Marin has been proposed to the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore to work in one of their parishes as an Assistant Parish Priest, while Fr. David has been proposed to the Bishop of Sivagangai as the Assistant Parish Priest of Puliyal Parish.

Province of North East India

As Fr. David was celebrating his Mass of Thanksgiving in P. Udayapatti on April 7, the Province of North East India was gathered in St. John Vianney Parish in Markassa, Meghalaya, for the Ordination of Fr. Desing John Nongphud, C.S.C. He was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. Wilbert Marwein, Bishop of the Diocese of Nongstoin.

Joining Fr. Desing’s family, friends, and brothers in Holy Cross at the Ordination were other priests and religious from the diocese. The following day, Fr. Desing celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving at his village church. The Mass was followed by a felicitation program.

Fr. Desing will begin his priestly ministry as Assistant Parish Priest at St. André Parish, Nyapin, in Arunachal Pradesh.

One week later, on April 14, the Province of North East India gathered for its second priestly ordination, this time in the Diocese of Jowai. Fr. Francis Gayang, C.S.C., was ordained by the Most Rev. Ferdinand Dkhar, Bishop of the Diocese of Jowai, in his village, Syndai, under Ka Syiem Jingsuk Parish Amlarem.

Once again, the Ordination saw a large attendance of the lay faithful in addition to several religious and priests. Many of them returned the following day, April 15, for Fr. Francis’ Mass of Thanksgiving and the felicitation program afterward.

Fr. Francis will begin his priestly ministry in the same parish in which he served as a deacon, Holy Cross Parish, Umkiang, in Mizoram.

Province of South India

At the end of the month, on April 29, the Province of South India celebrated joyfully the priestly Ordination of Fr. Kulandua Albert, C.S.C. He was ordained by the Most Rev. Antonysamy Peter Abir, Bishop of the Diocese of Sultanpet, in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Martalli.

Fr. Kulandua is the first Holy Cross priest from this region, which added to the day’s festivity. In addition to his family, friends, and other lay faithful, 28 priests concelebrated the Ordination Mass, with about half of them being Holy Cross, including Fr. Roque D’Costa, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of South India.

Having done his diaconate ministry in St. Mary's Basilica in Bangalore, Fr. Kulandai will begin his priestly ministry serving in the same Archdiocese for an additional year. He celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving on May 1.

Closing the seasons of Ordinations in India, was the priestly Ordination of Fr. Joseph Thermadom, C.S.C., on May 2. It was a historic moment not just for Holy Cross, but also for the Church in India, as Fr. Joseph is the first deaf person from India ordained a priest. He is also only the second Asian and the 26th member of the deaf community worldwide overall ordained a priest.

Read some of Holy Cross's Vocation Stories

Many deaf people from India and around the world came to participate in the Ordination, which was held at the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours, Thrissur. The Most Rev. Andrews Thazhath, Archbishop of Trichur, presided at the Mass. Assisting Fr. Joseph ably and gracefully throughout the Mass was Fr. Biju Lawrence, C.S.C.

Joining Fr. D’Costa and many other religious, Holy Cross and otherwise. Included with the Holy Cross religious at the Mass were Br. Paul Bednarczyk, C.S.C., Superior General, and Fr. Emmanuel Kallarackal, C.S.C., First Assistant/Vicar General.

Following the Mass, there was a festive reception for the family, friends, religious, and other invited guests, giving them a chance to celebrate and give thanks.