Barrackpore, India: The Claretian community at Claret Nivas in Barrackpore celebrated the diaconate ordination of six brothers on October 24th, 2024. This special event coincided with the feast day of St. Antony Mary Claret, founder of the Claretian Missionaries, making it a day of dual significance for those in attendance. A large gathering of religious, priests, and well-wishers joined to witness this significant milestone in the lives of these brothers and in the life of the Church.
The following brothers were ordained to the diaconate:
- Bala Showraiah from the Diocese of Agartala
- Joseph Manicka Raj I from the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales (MSFS) congregation
- Balaram Mandi CMF from the Independent Delegation of Kolkata
- Joseph Raj E., Neppolian P., and Anandaraj S. CMFF from the Province of Chennai
His Grace Thomas D’Souza, Archbishop of Kolkata, conferred the ordinations. In his homily, the Archbishop underscored the diaconate as a ministry dedicated to service, emphasizing its foundation in Christ’s love and its orientation towards serving the people of God. He encouraged the newly ordained deacons to approach their ministry with humility and a deep commitment to the Church’s pastoral and missionary mission.The ordination ceremony radiated a profound sense of joy and gratitude, as the community gathered to support the deacons on this transformative journey.
