“Weaving a strong network of fraternal relationships is a priority task of ongoing formation”, said Pope Francis on 6 June when he met with the participants in the Dicastery for the Clergy’s Plenary Assembly in the Vatican. When a seminarian gets ordained, it is a moment of overwhelming joy for the seminary community and, this joy is doubled when his brother seminarians and priests are able to participate it.
Xavier Mulupuri, an Indian seminarian from the diocese of Srikakulam who passed out last year from Sedes Sapientiae was ordained a deacon on 20 October 2024 in the parish of S. Massimo Vescovo, (Orta de Atella, Aversa, Naples). He was ordained by Mons. Vijay Kumar Rayarala the bishop of Srikakulam. Adding to the joy of Xavier, the ceremony was attended by don Eduardo Gil, don Eduardo Baura and seven seminarians who travelled all the way to Naples for this event.
Xavier, who had previously served in the parish during his pastoral ministry, was warmly welcomed by the local community, marking the first diaconal ordination in the parish in 29 years. It was fittingly celebrated with a large and vibrant choir and a grand congregation of attendees. The parish priest, don Paolo Gaudino and the parishioners with great affection arranged the ordination and the reception that followed. The ceremony was attended by Mons Armando Dini, the emeritus archbishop of Campobasso-Boiano, who had preached the spiritual exercises to Xavier before the Ordination. Mons. Antonio Spinelli, the bishop of Aversa, came to greet the new deacon.
The group of nine - seven seminarians and two formators - profited a quality time with a good interaction with the active parish community of Aversa and don Paolo. After the ordination they stayed at the house of Pontificio Istituto Missioni Estere (PIME), where the day after they celebrated the mass along with the rector. They also had visited the cathedral, port and old town of Naples making it a well-rounded and memorable experience.
