On September 28, the Congregation of Holy Cross in India celebrated with great joy the Final Vows of four seminarians in a Mass held in the chapel of the Congregation’s seminary in Pune. Two of the seminarians were from the Province of South India, Mr. Naresh Namindla, C.S.C., and Mr. William Selvaraj, C.S.C., while there was one seminarian each from the Province of North East India, Mr. Ishongkun Kurbah, C.S.C., and the Vicariate of Tamil Nadu, Mr. Amal William, C.S.C.

Fr. Roque D’Costa, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of South India, presided at the Mass, and Fr. Simon Fernandes, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of North East India, preached the homily. Fr. Alexander Susai, C.S.C., representing the Vicariate of Tamil Nadu was also in attendance. All three of the dignitaries received the Final Vows of their respective members.

Following the ceremony, the newly finally professed, their guests, and community members enjoyed a celebratory lunch.

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The next day, September 29, in the same chapel, the four seminarians were ordained deacons by the Most Rev. Thomas Dabre, Bishop of the Diocese of Pune.

Rev. Mr. Ishongkun Kurbah, C.S.C.,was born in the East Khasi Hills District. Inspired by a friend who was a seminarian, Ishonhkun entered Holy Cross and made his First Profession on May 28, 2018. He completed his theological studies in August 2022. Ishonkun’s understanding of God as a kind of “traveling companion” has strengthened him on his vocational journey and been the source of the joy and spirituality for which he is known. For his deacon assignment, he will be working in Mizoram.

Rev. Mr. Naresh Namindla, C.S.C., is the youngest of five in his family, having been born in Somadevarapally. As a youth, he was active in his parish, which is where the seeds of his vocation were planted. He professed First Vows on May 28, 2018. Naresh believes the vows help him “be at the service of the community and give himself selflessly to the mission of the community and help him even to sacrifice his own self to fulfill the needs of the people.” Naresh's deacon assignment is in Hyderabad.

Rev. Mr. William Selvaraj, C.S.C., hails from the Diocese of Mysore. Coming from a devout Catholic family, he thought of being a priest from a very early age and joined Holy Cross’s formation program in Ghanpur, Telangana, in 2010. Having a love for the Word of God, William has been known for his Scriptural reflections. He also has a strong commitment to the community, generously assisting with responsibilities. He will be serving in Bangalore for his deacon assignment. 

Rev. Mr. Amal William, C.S.C., comes from a traditional Catholic family and was born in Mettupatty, Tamil Nadu. He made his First Profession of vows on May 28, 2018. Throughout his formation, Amal has shown a love for apostolic work, having served most recently as a catechist for First Communion at Christ the King Parish in Sainikwadi, Pune. He is inspired by Saint André’s “humility” and Blessed Moreau’s “vigor” to make God known in the world. Mattiyarendal in Tamil Nadu is where he is serving during his deacon year.