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The newly ordained priest, Deacon Marius Zachamo with his parents during the ordination on January 10 at Akuk village. [/caption]
Dimapur, Jan. 10: The third priest, Rev. Deacon Marius Zachamo from Akuk village, under Wokha district was ordained by Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, on January 10. “You are my Son; today I have begotten you” (Hebrew 5:5), was the motto of the new priest. About twenty priests concelebrated with the Bishop.
During the ordination, Deacon Zachamo clad in the traditional Lotha attire was brought with the traditional tune and dance to the Church for the ordination. Rev. Fr. George Anthony, the Parish Priest, accorded welcome address.
Bishop in his introduction said “Deacon Marius Zachamo had been preparing himself for this day for the last thirteen or more years and from now he will be called Fr. Marius and will assume a new role and identity – the role and identity of a Catholic priest”.
Referring the Gospel of the day from the St. John 15: 9-17, the bishop said the Lord chooses whom he wants and empowered one to be with him and to be sent out on a mission. To fulfill the vocation and mission of a priest the bishop advised Deacon Marius to remain close to Jesus through personal prayer, praying the office of the Church and Eucharistic celebration. He also told that one must continue the priestly formation by learning from all available sources, giving oneself totally and wholly to the ministry. The bishop also thanked the family members and relations for offering their son for the ministry in the Church.
In his exhortation during the felicitation program, bishop requested the family and the community to uphold Fr. Marius and all the priests in prayer for the priesthood.
Rev. Deacon Marius Zachamo is the sixth child of Akhango Vincent Patton and Lozano Lucy, born on October 23 at Akuk village, in Wokha District. He did his schooling at Don Bosco School, Akuk and Don Bosco School, Lakhuti upto class 8, joined seminary in 2002 at St. Xavier’s Seminary, Jalukie, and joined Chabua Assam for the Orientation Course, did his philosophy and graduation at Salesian College Dimapur, regency at St. Peter’s Church Sanis and Jalukie and Theology at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore.
Assistant priest, Holy Redeemer Church, Tobu, Rev. Fr. Peter Pethungo anchored the commentary and Ntsomo Kithan, assistant teacher Holy Cross, Higher Secondary School, Dimapur was the MC for the felicitation programme. Special song was presented by Childhood friends of Fr. Marius, words of appreciation by John Nrithun on behalf of the family. The newly ordained priest expressed the words of gratitude.
Village Leaders, dignitaries, priests and sisters from different parishes, NCYM, NCWA, invited guests, government officials, catechists, pastors of different churches and other participants.