Three Jesuit Deacons Ordained Priests at Fatima Retreat House, Mangaluru

On : 2026-10-02

A celebration of faith, vocation and service unfolded at the Divine Mercy Church, Fatima Retreat House (FRH), Mangaluru, as three Jesuit deacons were ordained priests in a solemn Eucharistic celebration on Friday, October 2, at 10 a.m.

Most Rev. Dr. Leslie Clifford D’Souza, Bishop of Udupi, conferred the sacrament of Holy Orders on Fr. Larren Joy Menezes SJ, Fr. Prajwal Marvin Apose SJ, and Fr. Roshan Kelvine Goveas SJ, who belong to the Bombay Province.

The ordination was a moment of profound thanksgiving to God for the gift of their vocations and for the grace of their journey towards priesthood. Family members, Jesuits, priests, religious, friends and well-wishers gathered at Fatima Retreat House to witness and celebrate this significant milestone in the lives of the three newly ordained priests.

The celebration was held under the theme “Hearts that Love, Hands that Serve,” reflecting the essence of the priestly vocation as a call to love God and His people through generous and selfless service. The theme also served as a reminder that priesthood is not merely a ministry of the altar but a lifelong commitment to accompany, serve and journey with the People of God.

Fr. Dionysius Vaz SJ, Provincial of the Karnataka Jesuit Province, expressed his gratitude to Bishop Leslie Clifford D’Souza for presiding over the ordination and to all those who contributed to the celebration. He particularly acknowledged the priests, religious, family members, friends and well-wishers who had supported the newly ordained priests throughout their journey of formation and discernment.

Following the Ordination Mass, the newly ordained priests and their parents were felicitated. The gathering offered an opportunity to honour not only the priests but also their families, whose love, faith and support have been an integral part of their vocation journey.

Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained priests, Fr. Prajwal Marvin Apose SJ expressed heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had accompanied them at different stages of their journey towards priesthood. He acknowledged the many people whose prayers, encouragement, guidance and support had helped shape their vocation and prepare them for their mission of priestly service.

The ordination ceremony was also made possible through the dedicated preparation of Roydon Misquith SJ and Sch. Melvyn Govius SJ, who assisted the deacons in preparing for the celebration and helped coordinate the liturgy. Fr. Antony Pais served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Ordination Mass.

The celebration at Fatima Retreat House was more than a ceremony marking the beginning of three priestly ministries. It was a celebration of vocation and community—a moment when the Church gathered in gratitude for three young men who have responded to the call to serve with hearts that love and hands that serve.