Imphal: On 19th December 2021, at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Imphal at 10.00 am, Archbishop Most. Rev. Dominic Lumon, D.D. ordained 6 deacons to catholic priesthood namely: Fr. Samuel N. Naulak (Imphal Archdiocese), Fr. Joseph Haomuonlian (Imphal Archdiocese), Fr. Dilbung Milan (Miao Diocese) Fr. VR. Yursem David (SDB), Fr. Chithung Horam Joel (MSFS) Fr. Athikho Isaac (MSFS). A total of 90 priests and many religious sisters and faithful people participated in the ordination ceremony. Mass hymns were sung by the seminarians of the diocese.
Before the homily by the Archbishop, there was a ceremony where the parents of the deacons came and removed the traditional dress of their particular culture meaning to say that they come from a particular culture and embrace the culture of the world.
During his homily, his grace Archbishop Most. Rev. Dominic Lumon, D.D. spoke to the deacons telling them about the life they are called to live in the following words: “My dear deacons, after many years of formation, the time has come when you will be made partakers in the priesthood of Jesus Christ the eternal priest in the order of Melchizedek. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will be configured to the person of Jesus Christ, the head. The letter to the Hebrews speaks: “Every high priest is chosen from among men and is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. And no one takes this honor from himself but he is called by God just as Abel was.”
Speaking on the topic, the Archbishop continued: “Hence, priesthood is a call, not a career. In a call you do what you are called for. In a career you do what you choose to do. You are called not because of your property or you are qualified, you are called unworthy as you are, and qualified.”
“You are called for a mission, for a service. Through the rite of ordination you are configured to Christ, in the person of Christ the head. You have to conform to him or model yourself to him, on Jesus Christ who came to serve and gave himself for the ransom of many. You are to take up your cross daily and follow the master without looking back” said the Archbishop.
The Archbishop spoke further saying: “You are called for the service of the Word. You have to meditate on what you preach and put into practice what you preach. Daily meditation on the word is essential for the effectiveness of your ministry. For no one can give out what one does not have. You are to nourish the faithful especially with the sacrament of the Eucharist. Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery you celebrate. Model your life on the mystery of the Lord’s cross” his grace said.
“You are to be in constant communion with the Lord through your life of prayer. You are an official prayer one who prays for the people and with the people through the official prayer of the church. You are to lead and govern the faithful more by a life of witnessing rather than by word of mouth” the Archbishop said.
Speaking on the spirit of sacrifice, the Archbishop said: “Christ the high priest has offered himself on the cross so also the disciples must offer the spirit of sacrifice acceptable to God. What is this spirit of sacrifice? Commenting on this verse Pope Benedict the XVI said: “And what is this offering which we are called to make if not to direct our every word, thought and action to the truth of the Gospel and to harness all our energies in the service of God’s kingdom and the truth. In Romans 12:1 St. Paul asks Christians and us to offer the body; meaning themselves, to Christ as a living sacrifice; everything, every Christian, everything Christians do, everything that is done with their body is to be holy and acceptable of being offered to the Father as a sacrifice. Christians’ daily activities are means of sanctifying themselves and the world” said the Archbishop.
“In conclusion my brothers never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor. That means be set on fire by the Holy Spirit, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” added his grace.
In the name of everyone present for the ordination ceremony, his grace expressed his deep gratitude in the first place for their generosity in coming forward to offer their life to God and for the service of his people in the church. He congratulated and assured the prayers of everyone that they will persevere in their commitment to the Lord.
Fr. Samuel N. Naulak (Imphal Archdiocese) proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the newly ordained priests.
On behalf of the diocesan fraternity of Imphal Archdiocese, Fr. Francis, the rector of the seminary, welcomed the newly ordained priests. He welcomed them into the new journey that they have to walk on. He congratulated and appreciated their endurance of the days of their formation and appreciated their commitment to serve God. “Priesthood as you all know is a noble vocation. It has plenty of joys as much as it has as plenty of struggles. You will have plenty of people praising you and many people not praising you but criticizing you sometimes” said the rector of the seminary.
The president of Manipur Catholic Youth Organization (MCYO) while congratulating the newly ordained priests said: “Dear fathers, the privilege of holding the priesthood which is the power and the authority to act in God’s name is the greatest blessing and the privilege. It is in fact a commission to serve, a privilege to live and an opportunity to bless the lives of many others.”
At the end of the entire ordination programme, the MC of the day, Fr. Stanislaus, (Vice-Rector and professor of Oriens Theological College Shillong,) announced that with the six newly ordained priests, the Archdiocese was blessed with 149 native priests both religious and diocesans. It was a moment of great joy for the Archdiocese of Imphal.