By Fr. Joseph M. Thohrii
EKHON | UKHRUL: Hungpung village in Ukhrul, Manipur and in particular the Sacred Heart Church witness on saturday the blessings of the Almighty as one of their sons was ordained a priest in the Catholic Church in the Jesuit order in the person of Rev Deacon Nobert Kasomhung. SJ. Fr. Nobert Kasomhung is the 6th priests from Hungpung village and 28th priests from the Tangkhul community.
The ceremony began at 9.30 am in the school ground of Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Hungpung with the priest to be ordained led by family and relatives in the traditional way of procession to the altar.
Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli D.D. the new Archbishop of Imphal was the Chief Celebrant and he was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Melvil Pereira Sj, the Regional Superior of the Jesuits of Kohima Region along with 55 priests. Archbishop Linus in his homily congratulated Deacon Norbert Kasomhung for his courageous steps to sacrifice his life and dedicate for the service of the people and the Church. He emphasized saying that a priest is formed and trained to be like Christ. The centre of God’s call lay emphasis on John 15:16 ‘You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appoint you to bear much fruit’. He also requested the people of God to pray for the priests and for their holy perseverance .There were around 1000 faithful present to witness the occasion.
One of the touching moments during the Ordination was when the candidate to priesthood was presented to the Chief Celebrant. The candidate was led up to the altar by his parents to be presented to Archbishop to be ordained. Before presenting the priest to be, he was in full traditional attire. Before presenting him to Archbishop the father blessed the son and they began divesting the traditional attires. This ceremony symbolizes detachment from the world, home, culture and tribe/race and now has become a universal person at the service of humanity.
Parting from our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, home, village and the practices and customs we are used to and to plunge into the world view of Jesus is not easy. It’s painful, but worth the effort. That’s what priesthood calls for.”
After the mass, there was a short felicitation program to felicitate the newly ordained priest Fr. Norbert Kasomhung Sj. Fr. Melvil Pereira. Sj the Regional superior thanked the parents of Fr. Norbert for generously offering him to the service of the Church and also to the Jesuits Congregation. Melodious Congratulatory songs were presented by that Jesuits of Kohima region and Women Society, Sacred Heart Church, Hungpung to mark the auspicious day.
Shri Ram Muivah, Honorable MLA 44 Ukhrul A/C and well wishers from Nagaland and Meghalaya were also present for the occasion. In his vote of thanks, Fr. Norbert expressed his gratitude to God for his family members and the Superiors and friends of their Congregation and for everyone for their constant Support and encouragement. He thanked everyone for their presence and also all the people who have worked behind the scene. It may be mentioned that Fr. Norbert Kasomhung is the 28th priests from the Tangkhul community and the 6th from Hungpung village.
After the programme, a sumptous meal was served for all who came to witness the event.
(The writer is a catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur. He is currently the Vice Principal of St. Joseph College, Ukhrul. He can be reached at Mtjo89@gmail.com)
