Udupi: Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo ordains two new priests-Fr. Roy Lobo and Fr. Jensil Alva

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 04 May 2017: Two Deacons, Dn. Roy Lobo of Moodubelle and Dn. Jensil Alva of Shankerpura (Pangla) were ordained as priests by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese on Thursday, 4 May 2017 in an elaborate ordination ceremony that was held in St. Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar from 3.30 to 6pm. With the ordination of these two new priests the total number of priests in the Udupi Diocese rose to 77. 

 

A large number of priests along with the Bishop, to be ordained priests, Dn. Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva and their parents came in procession entering the church from the main door. The Bishop commenced the Holy Mass during which the ordination ceremony would be performed.

 

Soon after the reading of the Gospel by Dn. Roy Lobo, Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore, Fr. Joseph Martis presented Dn. Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva to the Bishop vouching for their complete training necessary to be ordained as priests. 

 

Thereafter, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo delivering the homily highlighted the importance of priesthood. He said that a priest is a person chosen by God from among the people to serve Him and His people. The Bishop, citing various examples from the Old and New Testaments pointed out how God chose those persons such as Abraham, Moses, Samuel as well as a host of Prophets to carry on His mission. In the New testament, Jesus called fishermen and other simple people as his apostles and disciples to spread the Good News. The Bishop called upon the to be ordained priests to be men of prayer  and  representatives of Jesus Christ to serve the people under their care.

Following the homily, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo put forward certain questions to the candidates Dn. Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva which they answered in affirmative. Thereafter, each of the two Deacons took a vow of obedience to the Bishop. 

 

As the choir sang the Litany of the Saints, Dn. Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva lay prostrated in front of the main altar. Thereafter, the Bishop laid his hands on the head of each of the two Deacons followed by other priests present on the altar.

 

The Bishop recited the prayer prior to the anointing and consecration of the new priests. Soon after the prayer, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas-Parish Priest of St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle and Dr. Leslie D’Souza-Parish Priest of  St. John the Evangelist Church, Shankerpura helped Dn. Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva respectively to wear the priestly vestments. 

 

The Bishop anointed and consecrated the hands of Dn. Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva with  holy oil as they individually knelt before him. Thereafter, the Bishop handed over the Chalice to them individually signifying the authority granted to them to offer mass and administer Sacraments. With this symbolic ritual, Dn Roy Lobo and Dn. Jensil Alva were ordained as priests.

The Bishop embraced both the newly ordained priests, Fr. Roy Lobo and Fr. Jensil Alva. Similarly other priests kissed the newly consecrated hands of these two new priests and embraced them one by one.

 

Prior to the offertory, the new priests accepted the offerings from their parents and siblings and joined the Bishop in continuing the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

 

At the end of the mass,  soon after the general blessing from the Bishop, the newly ordained spriests conferred their maiden blessing on the congregation.

 

Fr. Roy Lobo expressed gratitude to the Bishop, Vicar General-Msgr. Baptist Menezes and other priests and people for being the witnesses to the ordination ceremony.

 

The entire ordination ceremony was compered by Fr. Stephen D’Souza-Director of Diocesan Liturgy Commission.

 

Soon after the mass, a brief felicitation function was organized in the church ground.

 

After the introductory remarks by Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary of the CESU, Fr. Roque D’Souza, Parish Priest of St. Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar who organized the ordination ceremony welcomed the gathering.  Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo presided over the felicitation function. Rev. Msgr. Baptist Menezes, newly ordained priests-Fr. Roy Lobo and his parents-Mrs. Lavina Lobo and Mark Lobo; Fr. Jensil Alva and his parents, Mrs. Eliza Mable Alva and John Baptist Alva were on the dais. 

 

Dr. Lawrence D’Souza gave brief introduction of the newly ordained priests and welcomed them into the community of the Diocesan Priests. 

 

The Udyavar Church Choir presented a felicitation song in honour of the two newly ordained priests. 

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo honoured the parents of the newly ordained priests by offering them shawls while Msgr. Baptist Menezes felicitated the newly ordained priests by offering them Jasmine garlands. 

 

In his briest message, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo welcomed Fr. Roy and Fr. Jensil and called upon them to serve the diocese and its people. He also complimented the parents of both Fr. Roy and Fr. Jenisl for offering their sons to the service of God and people. 

 

Fr. Jensil Alva proposed the vote of thanks.