Ranchi: The feast of St. Thomas, the Apostle was a day of blessings and grace for the Archdiocese of Ranchi. In a strictly private ceremony in the Archbishop House Chapel, Most Rev. Felix Toppo SJ, ordained Bro. Nikhil Sandeep Minj a deacon in preparation for the Holy Priesthood. Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX in charge of seminarians proposed the name of the candidate.
The Archbishop in his homily explained the significance of the ordination to the Diaconate. Deacon Nikhil thanked the Archbishop, the Bishop the Archdiocese and all priests and seminarians for their love and affection towards him. Deacon Nikhil’s will be the fourth priest for the Archdiocese of Ranchi as three of his companions who had studied in Mangalore and Bangalore were already ordained priests earlier in the year.
Deacon Nikhil who completed his theology in Ranchi’s St. Albert College and had done his regency in Garalodhma will do his diaconate ministry in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Samlong. Nikhil has two brothers. His mother passed away two years ago. Bishop Theodore thanked his family and the parish of Samtoli from where Nikhil hails for the gift of Nikhil’s vocation which is fruit of the faith of his family and the Parish.
Nearly 10 priests including Fr. Tobias Kerketta Parish Priest of Samtoli. Fr. Sebastian Tirkey, Vicar General Ranchi, Fr. Deepak Tauro Rector of St. Albert College concelebrated with Archbishop Felix and Bishop Theodore. A few seminarians who are in the Archbishop House due to the lockdown rendered beautiful hymns under the guidance of Fr. Anil Kujur.