The Congregation of Holy Cross in India joyfully celebrated the Final Professions of seven seminarians on August 2, 2024, at Holy Cross Seminary in Pune. The theme of the celebration was “With Christ for His Mission”.
Of the seven who professed Perpetual Vows, three are members of the Province of South India: Mr. Eedara Vamshi, C.S.C., Mr. Jessel Pradeep Cutinha, C.S.C., and Mr. Thomas Lima, C.S.C. Their vows were received by their Provincial, Fr. Roque D’Costa, C.S.C., who was also the main celebrant at the Mass.
Another three belong to the Province of North East India: Mr. Newton Basumatari, C.S.C., Mr. Preet Anupam Beck, C.S.C., and Mr. Shanborlang Mawrie, C.S.C. Their vows were received by their Provincial, Fr. KJ Abraham.
The seventh seminarian to profess Final Vows, Mr. Santhiya Philomone, C.S.C., belongs to the Province of Tamil Nadu. His vows were received by his Provincial, Fr. Gaspar Selvaraj, C.S.C.
Along with the families and friends of the seven seminarians, Holy Cross members from all three provinces joined in the joyous celebration, which continued with a reception following the Mass.
The following day, August 3, these seven were ordained deacons by the Most Rev. John Rodrigues, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Pune. The bishop highlighted the vital role of prayer in the lives of the new deacons and urged them to walk closely with Christ in their service to His mission.
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The Ordination was attended by neighboring religious communities, who joined in making the day a memorable and colorful celebration. The event concluded with an agape meal.
Mr. Jessel Pradeep Cutinha, C.S.C., a member of the Province of South India, comes from Andheri located in Maharashtra. Jessel professed First Vows on May 28, 2018. He did his philosophical studies along with his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature at Karunapuram, Telangana. He completed his Bachelor of Education at St. Aloysius College in Mangalore in 2014. Jessel believes that the charism and spirituality of Fr. Moreau is apt for every situation and time. He writes, “The spirituality and charism enkindle in me a zeal for service of others encouraging me to keep my hope in the Cross of our Savior.”
Mr. Thomas Lima, C.S.C., a member of the Province of South India, is the first Holy Cross religious from the state of Odisha. He took First Vows on May 25, 2019. He has a great sense of humor that fosters a loving and joyful atmosphere within the community. Thomas holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Vishwa Jyothi Don Bosco College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Pune. He is proficient in five languages: English, Odia, Hindi, Marathi, and Telugu. He has had considerable experience working with cancer and HIV patients.
Mr. Eedara Vamshi, C.S.C., a member of the Province of South India, is a native of Narmetta, Telangana. He professed First Vows on May 25, 2019. Eedera displays leadership skills that enable him to contribute positively to the community. He taught catechism and has experience in working with the physically challenged. Ministry experiences taught him “patience, discipline, and the importance of forming children in faith.” He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Vishwa Jyothi Don Bosco College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Pune.
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Mr. Newton Basumatari, C.S.C., a member of the Province of North East India, hails from Boscobari in the state of Assam. He made his First Profession on May 25, 2020. Newton has a variety of ministry experiences, from working in a boys’ hostel, to serving at a center for lepers, to teaching catechism. The ministry experiences have prepared Newton “to be an educator of the heart and mind of students.” Newton speaks English, Hindi, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tripura University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from Christ the King College in Shillong, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Pune.
Mr. Shanborlang Mawrie, C.S.C., a member of the Province of North East India, was born in Laitkor in the state of Meghalaya. Shanborlang professed First Vows on May 28, 2018. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tripura University. He also earned a Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy and Theology from Pune. Shanborlang has served in several different parishes during his time in formation, teaching catechism, participating in choir ministry, and making home visitations. He enjoys working with choirs, believing that they help “the faithful to engage in a form of prayerful expression that deepened their connection to God.”
Mr. Preet Anupam Beck, C.S.C., a member of the Province of North East India, hails from Ranchi in the state of Jharkhand. He made his First Profession on May 25, 2020. Preet has a strong desire to serve in foreign missions. He is a man of prayer, and through prayer, he has “learned to respect and give dignity to all and to see in each person the image and likeness of God.” Preet graduated from Tripura University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2019, majoring in Political Science. He also attended Christ the King College in Shillong and Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology, earning Bachelor’s Degrees in Philosophy and Theology.
Mr. Santhiya Philomone Rayappan, C.S.C., a member of the Province of Tamil Nadu, hails from Pamban, located in Rameswaram. He professed First Vows on May 25, 2019. Santhiya holds three Bachelor’s Degrees: theology from Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology, English from Kakatiya University, and philosophy from Vishwa Jyothi Don Bosco College. A man of prayer, Santhiya writes, “My bond with Jesus is like that of a steadfast companion, providing unwavering support and strength as I journey through life’s ups and downs.” His ministry experiences have led him with the desire to reach out to the marginalized.