The Congregation of Holy Cross in India continues to celebrate more of its religious being ordained to the priesthood. These Ordinations were occasions of great joy for the Holy Cross community in spite of the coronavirus restrictions.
All gathered immediately after in the community refectory for tributes and a celebratory meal. On June 30, the Most Rev. Jebamalai Susaimanickam D.D, S.T.D., the Bishop of the Diocese of Sivagangai, ordained Fr. Lawrence Savariiyiuthu, C.S.C., Fr. Manu Praveen, C.S.C., and Fr. Vimal Wilbert Arokiasamy, C.S.C., of the Vicariate of Tamil Nadu. After several postponements, this long-awaited Ordination took place in the chapel at Moreau Illam, Fathima Nagar, Trichy. With the uncertain situation due to the coronavirus, the Mass began at 6:30 AM. Only a few Holy Cross Priests, including Fr. Panneer Selvam, C.S.C., Vicariate Superior, and family members attended the ceremony.
Including Fr. Siju Pappachan, C.S.C., who was ordained on June 10, two of the now four newly ordained priests for the Vicariate will serve in diocesan parishes. Due to the lockdown measures, the assignments of the other two priests are pending.
Just eight days later, on July 8, the South India Province joyfully welcomed four of their confreres to the priesthood. The Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi, presided and preached at the Ordination of Fr. Bonaventure Lobo, C.S.C., Fr. Joel Mendonca, C.S.C., Fr. Prethem Menezes, C.S.C., and Fr. Vijith Mathias, C.S.C.
St. Vincent de Paul Church, a Holy Cross parish in Katapady, was delighted to host the ordination. Fr. Ronson D’Souza, C.S.C., who serves as the parish priest, was the commentator for the ordination and Fr. Roque D’Costa, C.S.C., Provincial, was able to attend.
Similar to Tamil Nadu, the ordination was early in the morning, and guests were limited to a few family members. Following the Mass, the guests shared in a brief reception with the newly ordained, and a delicious home-cooked meal.
Fr. Lobo, C.S.C., is scheduled for ministry in the Province Canadienne, but until the international borders open, he is ministering at St. Sebastian's Church, Loliem, Goa. Fr. Menezes, C.S.C., is also assigned to Quebec, but he will temporarily serve at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, where he was ordained. Fr. Mendonca, C.S.C., begins his priestly ministry at St. Louis Parish in Dahisar, Mumbai, while Fr. Mathias, C.S.C., will join the Province’s newest mission as the assistant parish priest at Divine Mercy Mission Centre, Afzalpur, in the Gulbarga Diocese.