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Bishop of Kohima Rev. Dr. James Thoppil along with Mhasikholie Martin Swiho after the ordination ceremony in Kohima on December 29. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima, Dec. 29 (EMN): A 27-year old deacon Mhasikholie Martin Swiho from Thenyizumi village under Phek district was ordained a priest with Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima as the main celebrant at Khuochiezie (local ground) Kohima on December 29.
Delivering his homily at the priestly ordination programme, Bishop of Kohima congratulated the newly ordained priest and pointed out that ordination of priest is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition.
A priest, he said, is someone who truly believes to dedicate himself to the ministry of God and execute the office of the church in the service of God who functions as a priest, prophet and a leader according to the will of Christ.
Describing the works of a priest as a ‘hard work and lowliest work,’ the Bishop advised the newly ordained priest to be patient as a humble servant of God and to love and pray unceasingly. He also asked Swiho to surrender himself totally unto God as he carry out the ministry with constant joy and genuine love for every human being.
The ordination ceremony was marked by offering consecratory prayer upon the newly ordained priest administered by the Bishop and invoking the power of the Holy Spirit upon the priest. Later, the newly ordained priest was vested with the stole and chasuble of those belonging to the ministerial priesthood which he will use when presiding at the Eucharist.
Second child among 10 siblings, Swiho was born to Theophilus Thepurhayi Swiho and Pezalhoukhono Angela Swiho on July 29, 1990, at D. Block, Kohima. He lost both his parents while pursuing his philosophical studies.
Second child among 10 siblings, Swiho was baptised at St. Francis de Sales Parish, Kohima, on January 20, 1991, by Fr. Jerome, SDB, and received the Sacraments of Confirmation in 2003. He received his primary education at St. Andrew’s School, Thenyizumi village, from 1994-99.
A handout stated that the call to priesthood dawned on him in the year 2002 and his formation to priesthood began when he received the apostolic and minor seminary at St. Xavier’s Seminary, Jalukie; orientation course at Vianney Home, Chabua, Assam; major seminary at Good Shepherd Seminary and Salesian College, Dimapur; regency at St. Mary’s Parish, Lazaphuhu, Longsa Centre; theology at Oriens Theological College, Shillong; and diaconate ordination on June 17, 2017.
