Three Deacons Ordained as Priests for Diocese of Udupi
Photos By Melwin Joy Mascarenhas
Udupi: Three deacons of the Diocese of Udupi were ordained as priests at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, on Wednesday.
Kevin D’Souza of Padukone, Steevan D’Souza of Nidpalli, and Shawn Savio Andrade of Kemmannu were ordained by Most Rev. Leslie Clifford D’Souza, Bishop of the Diocese of Udupi.
During the solemn Eucharistic celebration, the priests present joined the bishop in laying their hands on the candidates and praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The newly ordained priests’ hands were then anointed with sacred oil in accordance with the rites of the Catholic Church.
In his homily, Bishop Leslie D’Souza said that true leadership lies in humbling oneself before God and serving His people. He explained the spiritual and social responsibilities of a Catholic priest and expressed his appreciation to the families who had offered their sons for priestly ministry. He also urged parents to encourage young people from Christian families to consider priesthood as their vocation.
The newly ordained priests participated in the Eucharistic celebration at the altar for the first time and distributed Holy Communion to the faithful.
Vicar General Monsignor Francis F. Lewis, Chancellor Rev. Steven D’Souza, Public Relations Officer Rev. Denis D’Sa, and the zonal deans of Shirva, Karkala and Kundapura — Rev. Charles Menezes, Rev. Alban D’Souza and Rev. Paul Rego, respectively — were among those present, along with priests from various parishes.
Following the ordination Mass, the newly ordained priests were felicitated on behalf of the diocese.
Rev. Wilson D’Souza served as the master of ceremonies for the ordination rites. Rev. Stephen Rodrigues introduced the newly ordained priests, while Rev. Steeven D’Souza delivered the vote of thanks.
Profiles of the Newly Ordained Priests:
Rev. Kevin D’Souza – Padukone
Rev. Kevin D’Souza belongs to the parish of Padukone in Kundapura. He was born on January 17, 1995, to Clodius D’Souza, a retired agriculturist, and Zita D’Souza, a homemaker. He is the youngest of three children.
Kevin completed his schooling and pre-university education in Padukone before earning a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree from St Philomena College, Puttur.
After completing his pre-university education, he joined the seminary of the Diocese of Udupi. He began his major seminary formation in June 2018 and completed his regency at Divyadhama Minor Seminary, Moodubelle, Udupi.
During his theological studies, he undertook Sunday ministry in Udupi during his first year, Thottam during his second year, and Hirgan during his third year. He completed his pre-diaconate ministry at Moodubelle and served at Udyavar and the Bishop’s House during his diaconate.
Rev. Steevan D’Souza – Nidpalli
Rev. Steevan D’Souza belongs to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Nidpalli. He was born on June 22, 1997, to the late Balthazar D’Souza and Stella D’Souza.
He completed his schooling from Class 1 to Class 10 at Sajankadi School near his village. He pursued his pre-university education at Rosario PU College, Mangaluru, and earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from St Philomena College, Puttur.
He joined the minor seminary on May 27, 2013, after completing his SSLC, and began his major seminary formation on June 10, 2018. During his regency, he served at Holy Cross Church, Byndoor.
As part of his theological formation, he undertook Sunday ministry at Kanajar during his first year, Udupi during his second year, and Attur during his third year. He completed his pre-diaconate ministry at Udyavar.
Rev. Shawn Savio Andrade – Kemmannu
Rev. Shawn Savio Andrade belongs to Nithyadhar Mai Ward of St Theresa – Little Flower of Jesus Church, Kemmannu. He was born on August 20, 1989, to the late Ronald Antony Andrade and Maxi Jacintha Andrade. He is the younger of their two children.
He completed his schooling from Class 1 to Class 10 at Milagres English Medium School, Kallianpur. He pursued his pre-university education at St Aloysius PU College, Mangaluru, and earned a Bachelor of Business Management (BBM) degree and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Milagres College, Kallianpur.
Before joining the seminary in 2018, Shawn gained professional experience in the development sector. He worked for one year on a UNICEF project under the Women and Child Development Department of the Government of Karnataka in Bengaluru. He subsequently served for four years with the Association of Bengal Collaborators for Development (ABCD) in Kolkata, followed by six months at Milagres College, Kallianpur.
He completed his regency at St Joseph’s Church, Belman.
During his theological formation, he undertook Sunday ministry at Attur during his first year, Hirgan during his second year, and Udupi during his third year. He completed his pre-diaconate ministry at Shankarpura.