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(ANS – Rome) – In recent days near the end of the Year for Priests various Salesian communities around the world have joyfully celebrated ordinations of both priests and deacons. Among these have been the ordinations on 12 June in Turin, Jerusalem and Lusaka and those on 29 May in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome; others are planned in the next few days.

On Saturday 12 June in the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Turin, 24 Salesian students from the “Crocetta” International Institute from eight different countries were ordained deacons by Cardinal Severino Poletto, archbishop of the city. Fr Enrico dal Covolo, Postulator General for the Salesian Family present at the ordination read a telegramme from Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State at the Vatican which he sent for the occasion.

The new ministers who have already completed their theological formation in preparation for the priesthood chose as the motto for their ordination a significant phrase from the rite of ordination “always believe in what you proclaim, teach what you have learned in faith, live what you teach.”

On the same day in Jerusalem at the Church of Gethsemani, seven Salesian students from the “Studium Theologicum Salesianum Saints Peter and Paul” (Ratisbonne), and two African Missionaries-White Fathers, received the ministry of deacon from Archbishop Fouad Twal, Patriarch of Jerusalem.

The seven new Salesian deacons are from Brazil, Gabon, Italy, United States, Poland and France. In his homily the Patriarch underlined the importance of living the deaconate in a radical manner, always referring to the Gospel.

In Lusaka, Zambia, the Salesian Michael Mbandama was ordained priest in the Cathedral of the Child Jesus. During the same celebration 7 diocesan seminarians received the order of deacon. Presiding at the ordinations also on Saturday 12 June was Archbishop Telesphore George Mpundu of Lusaka. In the course of the long but lively celebration, he reminded the deacons of their duties at the service of the communities.

On 29 May in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Rome, Bishop Mario Toso SDB, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace ordained as priests the Salesians from Vietnam Francis Xavier Pham Dinh Phuoc and Peter Tran Anh Tu, and as deacon the Indian Salesian Justin Narzary. Among the concelebrants were Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van De SDB of Thái Binh, and the Superior of the Special Circumscription of Central Italy (ICC), Fr Alberto Lorenzelli.

Next Saturday, 19 June, the ordinations as deacons of students from the “Blessed Zephyrinus Namuncurá” community (Gerini) are planned.

Published 15/06/2010