On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., three student friars from the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in India were ordained to the diaconate. The ordinations took place at the Kolbe Franciscan Ashram in Aluva, Kerala State, India.
The newly ordained are Friars Limson PAYADAYATTY; Jithin THEKKEMALY; and Frecin KURIYEDAM. The Most Reverend Bosco PUTHUR, Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly, India, ordained them, placing his hands upon their heads and saying the consecratory prayer. In his homily, Bishop PUTHUR stressed that despite our frailty, we can serve the holy of holies (madbaha) at the altar through the minor orders and the diaconate, following the example of Seraphic figures like St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Antony, and St. Francis.
Next, four more friars were ordained as sub-deacons (Heupadiakona), namely, Friars Anto CHEPPUKALAYIL; Jintesh MALIAKKAL; Jibin EDAPULAVAN; and Nibil KOLLITHADATHIL. In addition, Friars Christo KORETH and Alan MATHIRAMPALIL received their Karoya (Ministry of Lector) and will serve as readers.
Those concelebrating during the ordination Mass included the Minister Provincial, Friar Michael EARALY; the Vicar Provincial Friar Alphonse VAZHAPPANADY; and the Rector and Guardian of the Kolbe Franciscan Ashram in Aluva, Friar Louis PANTHIRUVELIL.
On the same day, Friars Christo KORETH; Alan MATHIRAMPALIL; Ashbin THEKKINEN; Clement PATHICKAL; James CHOORAMANA DEVASSYKUTTY; and Akshay PUTHUKKAD renewed their vows for one year.
The Minister Provincial received their vows while Friars Alphonse VAZHAPPANADY and Louis PANTHIRUVELIL served as witnesses. In his homily, the Minister Provincial said that our vows should reveal to the world the obedient, poor, and chaste Jesus, manifested in the presence of the religious. Like St. Joseph and Mother Mary, we must endure the suffering of carrying Jesus into exile after giving birth to Him through good thoughts, words, and deeds. For Franciscans, the Rivotorto experience means living with peace of mind and heart, while not losing our actual delight at being in the fraternity and not complaining about limitations.
After the final blessing of the Mass, everyone shared a fraternal meal together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Friar Patrick KANNADAN, Provincial Secretary
