Twenty-Four Seminarians from Sacred Heart Theological College, Meghalaya, Ordained as Deacons

Shillong, Meghalaya, July 1, 2025: Twenty-four seminarians from Sacred Heart Theological College in Shillong, Meghalaya, were ordained as deacons on Tuesday, July 1st, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration held at the college shrine.

The ordination was conferred in a sacred rite led by His Grace, Most Rev. Bernard Laloo, DD, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Shillong. The ceremony was attended by clergy, religious, seminary formators, friends and family members of the deacons, and lay faithful.

The newly ordained deacons include 21 members of the Salesians of Don Bosco and 3 from the Third Order Regular (TOR), representing various provinces across the country. These men have completed several years of rigorous spiritual, theological, and pastoral formation in preparation for their ministry.

In his homily during the ordination Mass, Bishop Laloo reflected on the sacred dignity of the Diaconate, reminding the ordinandi that they are now marked by a sacramental character and entrusted with a threefold ministry: the ministry of the Word, the ministry of the Altar, and the ministry of Charity.

“The Deacon stands as a bridge between the Sanctuary and the world,” he said, “proclaiming the Gospel, preparing the Sacrifice, and living out a concrete witness of Christ the Servant.”

The ordination Mass was a beautiful moment of prayer, liturgy, and cultural expression – a testament to the rich diversity of vocations within the Catholic Church in India. The emotional ceremony saw the new deacons publicly express their gratitude to their parents, formators, superiors, and companions who supported them throughout their vocational journey.

At a time when priestly vocations are increasingly scarce, the ordination of these 24 deacons stands as a sign of hope and renewal for the Catholic Church in India. As they step into their new role of service, the Church entrusts them with the mission of being faithful witnesses to the Gospel through humility, charity, and commitment to pastoral ministry.

By Cl. John Avinash SDB