On 1 May, the Province of Tamil Nadu joyfully celebrated the Priestly Ordination of Fr. R. Santhiya Philomone, C.S.C. The Most Rev. Dr. S. Lourdhu Anandam, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of Sivagangai, was the ordaining bishop.

The Mass of Ordination was held on the grounds of Our Lady of Good Health Church, Pamban, in Tamil Nadu, to accommodate the large number of lay faithful who came to join the joyful celebration.

There was also a large contingent of Holy Cross religious, including Fr. Gaspar Selvaraj, C.S.C., Superior of the Province of Tamil Nadu, diocesan clergy, and religious sisters, who joined the ordinandi’s parents and relatives. The following morning, 2 May, Fr. Philomone celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at the same church.

Read about the many Ordinations happening in Holy Cross

Fr. Philomone has been appointed as the Assistant Parish Priest of Sahaya Matha Church, Devakottai, in the Diocese of Sivagangai. His Ordination was the seventh and final Priestly Ordination for the congregation's provinces in India this year. All seven were part of the congregation’s Final Vows class from 2 August 2024.