Shillong, 17 January: The Salesian Province of St. John Paul II, Shillong, together with the Catholic Church in Meghalaya, was filled with deep joy and gratitude to God today as Deacon Reniel Banshanskem Synrem, SDB, along with five other deacons, was ordained to the Order of Priesthood. The sacred ordination was conferred by Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh, Archbishop of Shillong, in a solemn and prayerful Eucharistic celebration.
The celebration was graced by the presence of the Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. Bernard Laloo, the Vicars General, Provincials and religious superiors, a large number of priests and religious, as well as the parents, relatives, and friends of the ordinands, who joyfully accompanied their sons to the altar for this grace-filled moment.
In his homily, the Archbishop exhorted the deacons to embrace the sacred responsibility of the priesthood with sincerity, diligence, and purity of heart. He reminded them of the weight and beauty of God’s call, urging them to remain faithful servants in the Lord’s vineyard. “From the beginning,” he said, “God has placed His mark upon you, that you may belong to Him and serve His people.”
The Archbishop also strongly encouraged the newly ordained priests to cultivate a life of prayer and to remain deeply rooted in the Eucharist. “Be true lovers of the Eucharist in your lives,” he reminded them, pointing to the Holy Mass as the heart of priestly life and mission.
He further expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parents and families of the ordinands, acknowledging their generosity in offering their sons for the service of God and the Church. He invoked God’s blessings upon them, praying that they may live in peace and contentment, strengthened by God’s love.
Following the homily, the Rite of Ordination was celebrated with great reverence, culminating in the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration. The Eucharistic celebration then continued, presided over by the Archbishop and concelebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop, the priests present, and the newly ordained priests.
Fr. Reniel Banshanskem Synrem, SDB, is the son of late Mr. Alfred Fancon and Mrs. B. Synrem, from Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Parish, Mawiong. Born on 27 May 1995, he chose as his priestly motto: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor 12:9)—a fitting reminder of God’s strength made perfect in human weakness.
The Salesian family and the faithful of Meghalaya rejoice today for this precious gift of priestly vocations. In the spirit of Don Bosco, may the newly ordained priests serve with joyful hearts, especially for the young, and become true shepherds after the Heart of Christ.
