Clarence Kharmawlong, now a priest

FROM A REPORTER

SHILLONG, Sept 4: Most Reverend Archbishop Dominic Jala SDB bestowed the Sacrament of Holy Orders on Deacon Clarence Kharmawlong SDB at an ordition mass celebrated at Saint Dominic Savio Mawlai Parish on Saturday.

Deacon Clarence was presented for service by Fr George Maliekal SDB, the Provincial Superior of the Salesian Congregation of the Shillong Province.

After inquiring, if the deacon was worthy to be ordained, the Archbishop accepted the request to the sound of applause from the thousands of congregation who came to witness this religious event.

In his homily, Archbishop Jala reminded the deacon the role of an ordained minister, for the need to pray and to serve God from the heart.

Ending his homily, the Archbishop said: “Thanks to God for many priests and dedicated men in the church. Thank God also for the faithful who accompany the priests with their prayers that brought growth in Church. This is how each one can enrich their lives in the service of God.”

Following the Archbishop’s homily, the Rite of Ordition continued with Deacon Clarence promising fidelity to Christ and to the Ministry of Priesthood. Kneeling before the Archbishop with his hands gripped between the hands of the Archbishop, Clarence promised respect and obedience to the Archbishop, his successors and to the Religious superior.

The gift of the Holy Spirit was then conferred by the laying on of hands, followed by the Prayer of Ordition. The Archbishop then anointed the palms of the newly ordained as a sign that he is now sealed with the Holy Spirit. He was also called forth through the imposition of hands and the Prayer of Ordition.

Father Clarence, the fourth child of (L) Dennis War and Blue Mary Kharmawlong, was born on June 21, 1985. He completed his schooling from St. Dominic Savio’s Higher Secondary School Mawkhar and for Higher Secondary studies from Don Bosco College Tura, after which he did his Novitiate at Sunnyside Upper Shillong where he professed as a member of the Salesian Congregation on 24th May 2006. Soon he was sent to Divyadaan Salesian Institute of Philosophy shik to complete his Post-Novitiate studies. After completing six years as a professed member in the Salesian Congregation, Clarence took his fil vows on the 19th May 2012.

He was then sent to Jerusalem for his Theological studies and Diploma studiesin Biblical Archeology, Geography and History in Ecuminism and Inter Religious Dialogue from the Salesian Pontifical University. He was ordained a deacon by Most Rev.