Jerusalem, June 15, 2025 — On the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, fourteen Franciscan friars were ordained deacons at the Church of Saint Saviour in Jerusalem. The liturgy was presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.
In his homily, the Cardinal reflected on the Trinity as a model of communion and self-giving, calling the new deacons to be servants of the Word, the Eucharist, and unity. He urged them to build bridges in a world marked by division and to see their ministry as a gift, not a step in a career.
Among those ordained were Br. Abhishek Mariswamy, OFM, and Br. Bal Reddy Gali, OFM, members of the province of St. Thomas the Apostle, India. Their ordination, alongside brothers from various nations, highlighted the universal nature of the Church and the mission of peace in the Holy Land.
With gratitude to their formators, families, and communities, the new deacons committed themselves to serve in humility and love, following the example of Christ and St. Francis of Assisi.
Date |
Name of the Friars |
Events |
Year |
01 |
Richard D’ Silva Balaswamy Gundiga |
Entry Birth |
1952 1978 |
02 |
Portiuncula |
Feast |
|
03 |
Julius Arul Rayan |
Birth |
1974 |
04 |
+ Bernard Henrietta Praveen Roshan Toppo Ravi Bara |
Home Birth Birth |
1981 1982 1995 |
06 |
Benedict Gomes Augustine Tirkey |
Birth Birth |
1977 1989 |
08 |
+ Marianus Kadasani T.S.Leo Max |
Home Birth |
2004 1995 |
11 |
+ Clare of Assisi + Sanctes Molenkamp |
Feast Home |
1990 |
14 |
Jesu Maharaja Pasala Showri Raju |
Birth Birth |
1975 1987 |
15 |
Arok Sundar Sebastian Charles Bernard Felix Gassam Francis Kaviyil Chinnappan M. Devaraj Amaldas Belevendran Bobby V.T. |
Birth Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Solemn Vows Ordination |
1951 1990 1990 1992 1992 1992 2000 |
18 |
Jamesmon P.C. |
Ordination |
2001 |
19 |
John Chrysostom |
Ordination |
|
21 |
Vijay Amirtharaj A. |
Birth |
1979 |
22 |
Bhaskar Reddy |
Birth |
1973 |
23 |
Stephen Arun S. |
Birth |
1994 |
25 |
King Louis IX Arun Devasia Nattalil Akshay Showry Raj |
Feast Birth Birth |
1991 1994 |
27 |
Joseph Kishan |
Birth |
1995 |
28 |
Fidelis D’ Lima |
Birth |
1939 |
30 |
Arockia Raj R. |
Birth |
1959 |
31 |
+ Christopher Coelho |
Home |
2007 |
