The South India Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross had a joyful May with the Final Profession of three of its seminarians on Tuesday, 5 May: Mr. Perikala, C.S.C., Mr. Philipraj, C.S.C., and Mr. Pretham Danghwar, C.S.C.
The Mass of Final Profession was held at St. André Home Chapel in Bangalore. The Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro, C.S.C., Bishop of the Diocese of Agartala, presided, while Fr. Lawrence D’Almeida, C.S.C., Superior of the South India Province, preached and received the vows of the three seminarians.
The following day, all three were ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Lumen. Once again, the Mass was held in the St. André Home Chapel. The theme for their Ordinations, as well as for the Final Vows Mass the day before, was “Imitating Christ in Service”.
Learn more about the work of Holy Cross in India
Both liturgies came in the context of the Province’s annual assembly. In addition to the Province members, the family members, relatives, and friends of Jacob, Philipraj, and Pretham joined in the celebrations, which were filled with much joy, energy, and gratitude.
Deacon Jacob Perikala, C.S.C., a member of the South India Province, is from Phirangipuram, Andhra Pradesh, in India. He made First Vows on 25 May 2020. Jacob has deep appreciation for Holy Cross spirituality, which is seen in the way he speaks of prayer as the source of mission and service. He contends that the “best motivation for him is prayer. Personal prayer helps me keep my vocation in Holy Cross alive and active.” He has a Bachelor of Arts from Mangalore University in Shirva, Karnataka. He also has a degree in philosophy and theology from Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Pune, India. Parish ministry has enabled Perikala to integrate pastoral zeal with growing responsibility and accountability and indicate his readiness for commitment within the mission of Holy Cross.
Deacon Pretham Danghwar, C.S.C., a member of the South India Province, is a native of Mandnabahal, Odisha, in India. He took First Vows on 25 May 2020. Pretham studied philosophy and theology at Jnana Deepa Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Pune. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Odia, and Sadri languages. He has special devotions to St. Joseph, St. Andrè, and St. Teresa of Calcutta. Pretham had the opportunity to work with differently abled persons, as well as HIV patients. He writes, “It was a blessing to be with those rejected by society.” He has a gift of showing empathy and being sensitive to the needs of others. Pretham is a community-oriented person who values brotherhood. His peers testify that he is friendly, available, and always willing to help whenever approached.
Read about the Final Vows being Professed to Holy Cross Around the World
Deacon Philipraj, C.S.C., a member of the South India Province, was born in Mariapura, Karnataka, in India. He took First Vows on 25 May 2020. Besides the required philosophy and theology studies, Philipraj earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mangalore University in Shirva, Karnataka. He feels the vows allow him to be fully available and dedicate time and energy for the life he has chosen. Philipraj feels the vow of poverty calls him “to have a trusting dependence on God.” Philip has a flair for languages. He speaks English, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. Pastorally, he has had experiences in parish settings. He served at Christ the King Church, Mother Teresa Church, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church. In these parishes, he worked with the youth, taught catechism, and worked with families.