Rev Fr Pelevito Patrick Kipfe SJ ordained as Catholic Priest in Phesama

January 4, 2025 6 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | January 4

Rev Fr Pelevito Patrick Kipfe SJ was ordained as a Catholic Priest at St Paul School ground, Phesama on January 3. Speaking as the main celebrant during a priestly ordination Rev Fr Pelevito Patrick Kipfe SJ, Bishop of Kohima, Rev Dr James Thoppil expounded that the ordination is a call to exercise the ministerial Priesthood in the Church, that is, to act in the power and place of the person of Christ himself and opined that priesthood is one of the ways of growing in holiness.

The celebrant also went on to explain how all of us have a vocation from God and how “God invites us all to a life of holiness.”
However, many times, he said, we have either failed to live up to our vocation or ignored the call of God.

“Therefore, let us as a community and as individuals acknowledge our failure to live out our vocation as Christians so that God may graciously hear our prayers,” the Bishop encouraged the gathering.

The celebrant also pondered on the journey of how this priest in the like of Deacon Patrick will be called Fr Pelevito Patrick and will assume a new role and identity the role of a catholic priest.

“He had been preparing himself for this day for the last fourteen or more years,” Bishop Thoppil said and exclaimed that it is not by individual merit or abilities, but because of God’s call and anointing.

He said the ordained priest is called to be servants of the Lord and his people, to preach the Gospel, and to administer the sacraments.

“It is Christ who chose and appointed him to go and bear fruit through love. The success of one’s vocation and mission depends not on one’s ability and talents, but one’s docility and intimacy and closeness to God who calls and empowers one,” Bishop Thoppil added.

Therefore to be effective, he said one has to renounce disgraceful, underhanded ways, refuse to tamper and twist God’s word while pointing out that the fruitfulness of the mission comes from God who calls and sends.

The Bishop also said that the most basic and significant elements of our call as delineated in the gospel of today are threefold which are that the Lord has chosen and that the Lord wants to be with him and the Lord called to send out.

He also explained on the need to be humble and to make intimacy or close familiarity with Jesus one’s priority in life, while to make his word the basis of one’s life adding that the call in pastoral life is to reflect the pastoral charity of the Lord.

Speaking of celibacy, the Bishop also reminded to make celibacy and promise of obedience not a life of isolation but a life of love.

During the ordination ceremony, Ordained priest Rev Fr Pelevito Patrick Kipfe SJ shared words of acknowledgement.

Speech was delivered by Rev Fr Valerian Castelino SJ, Regional Superior, Kohima Jesuit region and songs were presented by NE India Jesuits and St. Paul Parish Choir.