After years of waiting, prayer, and spiritual preparation, Sadhumoni Francis Tripura, a son of Kaleha Para in Ruma Upazila of Bandarban District, was ordained to the priesthood. His ordination marks not only a significant milestone in his personal journey of faith but also a glorious chapter in the religious history of the Tripura Christian community of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chattogram.
The ordination ceremony was held on Friday, 6 November 2026, at the Church of Our Lady Of Presentation in Bolipara Parish, Bandarban. Most Rev. Lawrence Subrata Howlader, CSC, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chattogram, presided over the solemn ceremony and ordained him to the priesthood.
To mark this special occasion, a three-day programme featuring various religious, social, and cultural activities was organised from 5 to 7 November 2026. Priests, brothers, sisters, religious leaders, local faithful, family members, relatives, and well-wishers from different parts of the country attended the celebrations.
A Grand Welcome and Celebration
The celebrations began on 5 November 2026 with a special prayer service at Shantiraj Catholic Church in Thanchi Parish. Following the prayer, a motorcycle procession was organised to accompany Deacon Sadhumoni Francis Tripura to Bolipara Parish. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed through the traditional Garaiya dance of the Tripura community. The welcoming ceremony also included the ringing of church bells, a special prayer service, and blessings.
The much-anticipated priestly ordination took place on 6 November 2026. In an atmosphere of deep religious solemnity, Archbishop Lawrence Subrata Howlader, CSC, ordained him to the priesthood through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the prescribed liturgical rites. Following the ordination, the newly ordained priest received a formal felicitation and warm greetings from the participants. A cultural programme featuring performances by artists from different areas, alongside local performers, was also organised to mark the occasion.
The three-day celebration concluded on 7 November with a Thanksgiving Holy Mass and special prayers.
A Journey of Faith, Perseverance and Dedication
The journey of Fr. Sadhumoni Francis Tripura towards priesthood reflects years of education, perseverance, self-dedication, and spiritual formation.
He was born on 20 December 1996. His father was the Late Domchoron Tripura, and his mother is Saizuma Tripura. From his childhood, he grew up facing various challenges and financial hardships. Even after losing his father, he remained committed to his dream of religious life and continued his spiritual journey despite the difficulties he encountered.
He began his formal education at Sadhu George Primary School in Kaleha Para. Subsequently, he studied at Bolipara Primary School, Bolibazar Junior Secondary School, St. Francis Xavier School, and Thanchi High School. He completed his Higher Secondary Certificate education at Syed Hatem Ali Degree College in Barishal and later earned his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame College, Dhaka.
His theological and priestly formation was equally extensive and demanding. He received different stages of spiritual and theological formation at Holy Rosary Intermediate Seminary in Barishal, St. Joseph Seminary in Dhaka, Jesus Meditation Centre in Dinajpur, and Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Banani, Dhaka.
He served as a Lector from 2018 to 2019 and subsequently as an Acolyte from 2019 to 2026. On 22 May 2026, he was ordained a deacon at Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Banani, Dhaka. Finally, on 6 November 2026, his long journey of preparation reached a significant milestone with his ordination to the priesthood.
Committed to Serving Humanity and the People of the Hills
During the felicitation programme following his ordination, the newly ordained Fr. Sadhumoni Francis Tripura expressed his heartfelt gratitude to God, the Church authorities, his family, relatives, and all those who had supported and encouraged him throughout his journey.
He said, “My primary commitment in life is to dedicate myself to serving humanity, remaining steadfast in the pursuit of truth, and promoting the spiritual and social well-being of people living in the remote hill regions. I wish to work throughout my life to uphold peace, harmony, and a spirit of brotherhood in the hills. I humbly seek everyone’s prayers and blessings so that I may faithfully fulfil this new responsibility.”
Archbishop Lawrence Subrata Howlader, CSC, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chattogram, remarked that having a priest emerge from a remote hill region like Thanchi after years of sacrifice and spiritual preparation was a tremendous blessing for the entire region. He expressed hope that, through the ministry of the newly ordained Fr. Sadhumoni Francis, proclaiming the Gospel and providing religious education in both Bangla and the native language of the Tripura community would become more accessible to the local people.
A Proud Chapter for the Tripura Christian Community
The ordination of Fr. Sadhumoni Francis Tripura has brought immense joy and pride not only to his family but also to the Tripura communities of Bolipara, Thanchi, Ruma, and various other parts of Bandarban District. In particular, the ordination of a son of the Tripura community from a remote hill settlement has been widely regarded by local Christians as the fulfilment of a long-cherished hope.
The enthusiastic participation of people throughout the three-day celebration, together with traditional Tripura songs, dances, and cultural performances, added colour and vibrancy to the occasion. Beyond its religious significance, the celebration strengthened bonds of mutual respect, love, unity, and fraternity among people from different communities and localities.
Local people hope that the priestly ministry of Fr. Sadhumoni Francis Tripura will inspire the younger generation in the hills to pursue higher education, uphold religious values, embrace humanity, and engage in social service. His ministry is expected to extend beyond his pastoral responsibilities to include standing beside people in remote hill communities, supporting those in need, and contributing to the promotion of peace and harmony in society.
The priestly ordination of Fr. Sadhumoni Francis Tripura is therefore more than the fulfilment of an individual’s dream. It represents a new chapter of hope, faith, perseverance, and inspiration for the Tripura Christian community in the hills and for generations to come.
