Bangladesh - Over 2500 people attend the priestly ordination of Salesian New Priest Victor Mankhin
Utrail, Bangladesh - April 2024 - 5 April 2024 was a very special day for the Salesians of Don Bosco in Bangladesh for the priestly ordination of Victor Mankhin. He is the first Bangladeshi Salesian to be ordained a priest since the Salesians resumed their mission in 2009 in Utrail, Durgapur, in the Mymensingh diocese. The ordination celebrations began on 4 April with Eucharistic adoration followed by the 'Thokka' ceremony, a cultural event of the Garo tribe celebrating this solemn occasion. Two Salesian Provincials from India, Fr Joseph Pauria (INC) and Fr Januarius Sangma (ING), were present at the event along with other Salesians from India, Bangladesh, priests, other religious and the faithful. On 5th April, the celebrations began with the arrival of the Bishop of Mymensingh Bishop Ponen Paul Kubi, other dignitaries, Christians from various parishes, as well as family members and relatives. The ordination ceremony, with some 2,500 people, was a joyful moment for the Christian community and for the Bangladeshi Salesians, who now number twenty-four. Fr Victor Mankhin celebrated his first Holy Eucharist on 6 April in his village (Bharathpur of Baluchora Parish) in the presence of a large crowd of over a thousand people.