Deacon Mekala Punna Rao (Mariadas), SSP, was ordained a priest on Friday 13th January 2017. The priesthood was conferred on him by His Lordship Chinnabattini Bhaghiah, Bishop of Guntur, at Mary Martha Church, Pedda Madduru. Fr. Michael Raj, the Provincial Superior, Fr Thomas MJ, the Formation Director, representatives from our various communities and Pauline Family, religious from the surrounding areas, diocesan priests, friends and well-wishers came in large number to attend the ordination ceremony. Fr. Saji Anthony, the Superior of the community of Vijayawada and the Deacon himself had made all the necessary arrangements for the smooth organization of this event.
Fr. Mekala Punna Rao hails from Andhra Pradesh and is ordained the first priest of the Society of St Paul from this southern State of India. We sincerely congratulate the newly ordained priest and implore the Lord’s choicest blessings upon him so that he can be an effective instrument in carrying out the Pauline Apostolate.