Divine Providence Province witnessed a delightful and jubilant event of the priestly ordination of Deacons Arockia William and Melvinraj on 15th August, 2024. The event was graced by the presence of multitudes of people who came from different regions, among which was noticeable the presence of His Grace Most. Rev. Dr. Francis Kalist, Archbishop of Pondicherry - Cuddalore, Fr. Ronald - Provincial Superior, Provincial Councilors - Frs. Kulandaisamy, Francis and Gnanaraj and by other Guanellian priests and diocesan priests, Guanellian family, local religious the family and relatives of the priests to be ordained.
The ordination took place at St. Joseph’s Seminary Chapel. Guanellian Sisters, Minor Seminarians of St. Joseph’s Seminary and confreres from DPP Provincialate, St. Joseph's Seminary and Don Guanella Boys Home worked exhaustively to make sure that everything was in order. Altar was decorated meaningfully, choir sang beautifully, and everything else went just smoothly as expected. In his homily, the bishop enumerated duties of the priest and reminded them the challenges and relevance of the priestly life.
On the following day, 16th August 2024, Fr. Arockia William celebrated his first Holy Mass in his native, Our Lady of Perpetual Succor Church, Siluvaipalayam, Tamil Nadu and followingly, on 17th August 2024, Fr. Melvinraj celebrated his first Holy Mass in his home parish, Our Lady of Assumption Church, Irudayampattu, Tamil Nadu. Large number of Guanellian and diocesan priests joined in the First Mass and Guanellian sisters, religious, friends and well-wishers participated in it. The solemn Eucharistic Celebration was preceded by a procession through the hometowns of the newly ordained. Both the newly ordained priests thanked God in their First thanksgiving Mass for the goodness of the Lord. The faithful participated in the First thanksgiving Mass wished and prayed for them that they may be faithful and effective Guanellians at the service of the Universal mother Church.
