Archbishop John Moolachira calls the Ordinandi to become humble servants of Christ and the Church
Shillong, July 1, 2026: The Church in North-East India rejoiced as eighteen religious brothers were ordained to the Sacred Order of Diaconate during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at the Sacred Heart Theological College (SHTC), Mawlai, Shillong. The ordination was conferred by Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati, in the presence of a large gathering of bishops, religious superiors, priests, religious, seminarians, family members, and the faithful.
Among the eighteen ordinandi, fifteen were Salesians of Don Bosco belonging to various Salesian Provinces of India, while the remaining three belonged to other religious congregations. The celebration marked an important milestone in their journey towards the priesthood and was a joyful occasion for the Salesian Congregation and the Church in India.
Present for the celebration were Rev. Fr. John Zosiama, SDB, Provincial of the Salesian Province of Shillong, Rev. Fr. Bivan, SDB, Vice Provincial of Guwahati Province, Fr. VG Thomas Vice Provincial of Kolkata Province, Fr. Robert Pen, the Vice Provincial of Mumbai Province, Fr. Jeevan Lakra the Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Shillong, Fr. Deli, SDB, Vice Provincial of Dimapur Province, along with Fr. Bellarmine OCD, the Superior of Lum Carmel study house other superiors of various religious congregations, priests, and the formators and students of Sacred Heart Theological College.
Following the proclamation of the Gospel, Fr. John Zosiama formally presented the candidates to Archbishop John Moolachira. On behalf of the Church and the respective religious congregations, he testified that the candidates had completed the required years of formation and had been found worthy to receive the ministry of the Diaconate. The Archbishop then accepted the candidates for ordination.
In his homily, Archbishop John Moolachira reflected on the mystery of God’s call, reminding the ordinandi that every vocation begins in the heart of God. Quoting the words of the Prophet Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I consecrated you,” he said that vocation is always God’s initiative and never merely a personal achievement. Although every vocation is accompanied by moments of fear and uncertainty, God does not call those who are already perfect but works through humble and willing instruments.
Addressing the candidates, the Archbishop said, “You are not being ordained because you possess every virtue or every pastoral skill. You are being ordained because Christ has chosen you, and He promises to remain with you.” He reminded them that the ministry of the deacon is not simply about performing various functions but about belonging completely to Christ, who came not to be served but to serve.
Reflecting on the institution of the first deacons in the Acts of the Apostles, Archbishop Moolachira explained that the diaconate is rooted in charity and service. A deacon, he said, is an ordained minister configured to Christ the Servant, called to proclaim the Gospel, assist at the altar, celebrate baptisms, witness marriages, preside at funerals, preach the Word of God, and serve those in need.
The Archbishop encouraged the ordinandi to become ministers who combine conviction with compassion, courage with humility, and fidelity with joy. He urged them to remain close to the poor, cultivate fraternity within their religious communities, and live faithfully the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Referring to the Rite of Ordination, he reminded them of the words they would soon hear: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
Drawing inspiration from St. John Bosco, Archbishop Moolachira concluded by encouraging the ordinandi to live their diaconate joyfully and generously, remembering that they are first disciples before becoming ministers, servants before becoming leaders, and brothers before becoming superiors.
Following the homily, the Rite of Ordination began with the candidates being called by name and publicly expressing their willingness to undertake the ministry of the Diaconate. They solemnly promised to discharge the office of deacon faithfully, proclaim the Gospel worthily, celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours, embrace lifelong celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom, and show respect and obedience to their lawful superiors.
The ordinandi then lay prostrate before the altar while the congregation sang the Litany of the Saints, invoking the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints. Archbishop Moolachira subsequently imposed his hands individually upon each candidate and prayed the solemn Prayer of Ordination, invoking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the new deacons.
The newly ordained were then vested with the diaconal stole and dalmatic, signs of their sacred ministry, and each received the Book of the Gospels with the exhortation: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.” The Rite concluded with the Sign of Peace, after which the newly ordained deacons assisted the Archbishop for the first time in the celebration of the Eucharist.
The ordination of these eighteen deacons is a moment of immense joy for the Church and particularly for the Salesian Family. As they begin their ordained ministry of the Word, the Altar, and Charity, they are called to imitate Christ the Servant and to live the charism of St. John Bosco through humble service, missionary zeal, and a preferential love for the young and the poor.
The celebration concluded with prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of these new ministers and for the grace that they may remain faithful to their vocation. Entrusting their ministry to the maternal care of Mary Help of Christians, the Church prayed that these newly ordained deacons may become joyful witnesses of the Gospel and dedicated servants of God’s people as they continue their journey towards the priesthood.
INS Correspondent
