With hearts lifted in profound gratitude to God, the Diocese of Gulbarga rejoiced on the evening of 11th May 2025, as the Diaconate Ordination of Bro. Ancy Vion Lobo took place at the majestic Mother of Divine Grace Cathedral in Kalaburagi. It was a day wrapped in solemnity, reverence, and heavenly joy—a sacred milestone not only in the life of Bro. Ancy but also in the life of the Church, as it welcomed a new servant into the ministerial order of deacons.
The sacred rite began at 4:00 PM, with the faithful slowly gathering under the soft glow of the Cathedral’s arches, which seemed to echo with centuries of prayer and tradition. Most Rev. Dr. Robert Miranda, the Bishop of Gulbarga, presided over the liturgical celebration, whose pastoral presence and fatherly love brought depth and meaning to the occasion. Priests, religious sisters, seminarians, family members, friends, and faithful from various parishes across the diocese filled the cathedral, all united in prayer and thanksgiving for this great gift to the Church.
As the Eucharistic celebration unfolded, a palpable sense of grace filled the sanctuary. The choir’s harmonious melodies lifted hearts heavenward, while the rituals of the Mass drew the assembly into the mystery of God’s call and human response. The moment of ordination itself was deeply moving. As Bro. Ancy lay prostrate before the altar in a gesture of total surrender, the Litany of the Saints was intoned, invoking the intercession of the heavenly host—a powerful reminder that this vocation is rooted in divine calling and sustained by the communion of saints.
In his homily, Bishop Robert Miranda offered a rich reflection on the nature and dignity of the diaconate. He reminded the congregation that the call to serve as a deacon is not a personal achievement, but a divine entrustment—“a call to be a bridge between the altar and the people, a minister of charity and word, a humble servant in the vineyard of the Lord.” The bishop elaborated on the multifaceted responsibilities of a deacon: to assist at the altar, proclaim the Gospel, preach the Word, administer the sacrament of baptism, bless marriages, lead funeral rites, and minister to the sick and needy. “A deacon,” he emphasized, “is not merely a functionary but a visible sign of Christ the Servant, who came not to be served but to serve.”
The rite of ordination was then carried out with solemn grace. As the bishop laid his hands upon Bro. Ancy and prayed the consecratory prayer, the assembly sat in silent awe, witnessing a sacred transformation. With vestments donned and the Book of the Gospels entrusted into his hands, Deacon Ancy Vion Lobo arose, now consecrated as a herald of the Word and a servant of the Church.
Following the liturgy, a brief yet heartfelt felicitation program was held within the cathedral premises. Representatives from the diocesan clergy, religious congregations, and lay faithful came forward to offer words of encouragement, congratulations, and prayerful wishes. Their messages echoed the love and pride of a Church family rejoicing in the fruits of God’s grace and the dedication of one of its sons.
The joyous celebration concluded with a fellowship meal, where guests from far and near shared not only food but also stories, laughter, and fraternal warmth. It was a fitting conclusion to a day marked by the richness of faith, the unity of the Church, and the promise of service in love.
As Deacon Ancy Vion Lobo steps into his new role, the diocese continues to accompany him with prayers and support, entrusting his ministry to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the maternal care of Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace. May his life and service be a radiant testimony of Christ’s love, humility, and unwavering mercy.
