Priestly Ordination of Fr. Rajen Singh
The catholic diocese of Baruipur had yet another beautiful moment on Thursday, 24th February 2022 when Dn. Rajen Simon Singh was ordained a priest. With his Motto, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Cor 15:10) he was ordained by His Lordship Most Rev. Shyamal Bose, the bishop of the same diocese. The glittering grand ceremony began at 10.30 a.m. with a solemn procession of the ordinand with bishop, priests and religious in a beautifully decorated pandal adjacent to the chapel at Kumirmari village, one of the substations of catholic church, Basanti. The solemn Holy Eucharist was presided over by the bishop and concelebrated by several priests including Rev. Fr. Aquin Noronha, Rector of St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur. Beside his parents and relatives the ceremony was also attended by other brothers and sisters, friends and well-wishers from the village and locality. The celebration was meticulously planned and orderly conducted by Fr. John Britto, the liturgy Incharge and Fr. Uttam Naskar who anchored the ordination ceremony. The melodious singing led by Rev. Fr. Ramen Pailan added solemnity to the occasion.
The deacon was presented by the parents for ordination symbolizing that he is being set apart for God's work. The rites of ordination included the examination of the candidate; invocation of the Holy Spirit through the intercession of Mary, the mother of Jesus and the saints; laying on of hands by the bishop and all the concelebrating priests; prayer of consecration, investiture, anointing with holy chrism; presentation of gift and the kiss of peace.
After the final blessing Rev. Fr. Rajen Simon Singh, the newly ordained priest acknowledged with great humility the contribution of his family and all others especially during the years of his formation till the moment of his priestly ordination. He also thanked Bishop Shyamal Bose, Fr. Aquin Noronha, Rector of St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur and all the priests, sisters, friends and well wishers who stood with him to this day. Large number of villagers and neighbours came out to see and greet the newly ordained.
Rev. Fr. Rajen Simon Singh was born on March 08, 1989 in 2 No. Shibganj Paschim Para. His parents are Francis Singh and Jhorna Singh. He is the second son in the family. He has two brothers and one sister. He did his Primary Schooling in Shibganj Avaythonic Prathomic Vidyaloy and higher secondary in Sundarban Adarsha Vidyaniketan. After completing his higher secondary he joined the Minor Seminary in Samarpan, Kalikanan Road, Baruipur in the year 2010. After two years of Minor Seminary he was sent for Spirituality course in The Regional Propadeutic SeminaryTantipara, Amghata in the year 2012. Then he was promoted to Major Seminary, Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore where he studied B.A and Philosophy from 2013-2015. The two years of regency was in Ascension Church Khari and Sacred heart Church, Morapai. It was then a time for Theological studies which he pursued from St. Charles seminary, Nagpur during the year 2017-2022. Subsequently he was ordained deacon at St. Charles Seminary on 17th of April, 2021 by His Grace Most Rev. Elias Gonsalves, Archbishop of Nagpur. It was followed with diaconate ministry in St. Charles Seminary, Nagpur and Sacred Heart church, Thakurpukur.
Hearty congratulations and prayerful wishes to Fr. Rajen Simon Singh as he ascends the altar of God. May the Lord help him to be a faithful and effective Priest at the service of the people.
