Team Herald
PANJIM: This year the Society of Pilar is blessed with 8 new priests namely Fr Myron Sequeira from Socorro, Fr Selfron Gracias from Cansaulim, Fr Daniel Narakaden from Parra, Fr Diogo D’Souza from Morjim, Fr Vincent Lobo from Ambernath (Maharashtra), Fr Jacob Shally from Chennai, Fr Arul Selvan from Pothakalan Vilai (Tamil Nadu) and Fr Jai Prakash Ekka from Noatoli (Jharkhand).
On May 2, deacons Selfron Gracias, Diogo D’Souza, Daniel Narakaden and Myron Sequeira were ordained priests at Pilar by Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, Auxiliary Bishop of Ranchi Archdiocese and Secretary General of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
In his sermon Bishop Theodore said: “You are called to be Pilar Missionaries to go and preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. Above all, you have to be the men of prayer so that your missionary work becomes successful.”
After the mass, Fr Hilario Fernandes, the Vicar General of Pilar Society welcomed the newly ordained priests with the bouquet of flowers. Fr Francis Carvalho, the Superior General of Pilar Society thanked everyone, especially the parents of the ordained priests, benefactors, Xaverian Co-operators and Spiritual Brothers and Sisters of Pilar Society.
On this occasion a bilingual book on Eucharistic Celebration titled ‘Understanding what we Celebrate’ – ‘Ami Somarombhtanv tem Somzum-ia’ written by Fr Tony Savio Fernandes SFX was released by Bishop Theodore.
116 priests, nuns and about 2000 people attended the service. The other 4 deacons are to be ordained in their own dioceses outside Goa.
