Deacon Rikson Monteiro, son of Mr Denis Monteiro and Mrs Florine D’Souza from Manjeshwar Church (Mangaluru Diocese), was ordained a priest by Most Rev. Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Manjeshwar, on 2nd May 2024.
The ordination ceremony took place in the presence of Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese; V. Rev. Fr Ronald Serrao, Rector of St. Joseph Seminary, Mangalore; V. Rev. Fr Roshan D’Souza, Chancellor of Udupi Diocese; Rev. Fr Edwin Pinto, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Manjeshwar; relatives; friends; along with hundreds of devotees. More than 40 priests were present on the occasion.
During his homily, the bishop emphasized the status and responsibilities of a priest in the Church. He stated that a priest is chosen by God from among the people to serve them and lead them to Christ. He also highlighted the significance and challenges of the priestly ministry in the present world.
Later, the newly ordained priest concelebrated in the Holy Eucharist with the Bishop. Rev. Fr Stephen D'Souza, Former Director of Diocesan Biblical and Catechetical Centre, animated the Liturgy.
Solemn church rituals were followed by a grand felicitation function. Children from Our Lady of Mercy Church, Majeshwar, performed the welcome dance.
Most Rev. Dr Gerald Lobo, Bishop of Udupi; Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro, New Priest; Mr Denis Monteiro and Mrs Florine D’Souza, Parents of Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro; Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi Diocese; Rev. Fr Anil D’Souza, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Perampally; Rev. Fr Andrew D’Souza, Parish Priest of St Lawrence Church, Bondel; Rev. Fr Edwin Pinto, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Manjeshwar, were present on the dais.
Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro cutting the cake with his family members. Rev. Fr Andrew D’Souza raised the toast and wished well to Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro’s priestly ministry in Udupi Diocese.
Rev. Fr Anil D’Souza congratulated the new priest and appreciated and thanked his Deacon ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Church, Perampally.
Rev. Fr Edwin Pinto congratulated the new priest and felicitated with commissions coordinator, vice president, Secretary of Manjeshwar parish pastoral council on behalf of Our Lady of Mercy Church, Majeshwar.
The Bishop addressed the gathering and congratulated Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro on behalf of the diocese. Msgr. Ferdinand Gonsalves felicitated the new priest and greeted him, also thanking his parents for being generous to give their son to the Udupi Diocese to serve as a priest. He made an appeal to the people to promote vocations in their families.
In his Thanksgiving speech, Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro recalled the role of his parents in supporting him in his vocation. He recalled the help and support rendered to him right from his childhood until the day of his ordination and thanked his family members, relatives, teachers in seminary, friends, well-wishers, and all those who had helped in organizing the ordination ceremony in the church and making the felicitation function a grand success. He called all of them and presented mementos.
Mrs Reena Monteiro welcomed the gathering and Rev. Fr Rikson Monteiro proposed a vote of thanks. Br Vikas Pereira compared the program.
Comments powered by CComment