On January 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., the Conventual Franciscan Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in India joyfully celebrated the priestly ordination of Friars Saroj NAYAK and Madan BALIARSINGH. The event took place at St. Joseph’s Church, in Godapur, Odisha State, India.
The sacred rite of ordination was presided over by the Most Reverend John BARWA, S.V.D., Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, India. Others attending included friars, clergy, religious, family members, and many faithful.
On January 29, at 10:30 a.m., the newly ordained priests celebrated their first Holy Mass (Thanksgiving Mass) at Fatima Jononi Catholic Church in Pokari, India. They offered heartfelt thanks to God for the gift of their priestly vocation.
These ordinations mark a significant event for the Conventual Franciscan community and the local Church, as Friars Saroj NAYAK and Madan BALIARSINGH begin their priestly ministry in service to God’s people, guided by the Franciscan spirit of prayer, fraternity, and mission.
Friar Patrick VARGHESE (KANNADAN)
Provincial Secretary
