Calcutta Jesuits wish and congratulate Fr. Newton Tripura SJ, as he is ordained a priest on 31 January, 2026 in Bangladesh.
January 31, 2026 marked a historic day for the Bangladesh Jesuit Mission as Deacon Newton Tripura, was ordained a priest by Lawrence Subrata Howlader, Archbishop of the Chittagong Metropolitan Archdiocese, at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Mathbari. With this sacred milestone, Father Newton Tripura became the first Jesuit priest from the Tripura community of Bangladesh. All the Jesuits of the Mission, along with many priests from the Archdiocese of Dhaka, attended the solemn celebration. Many of his relatives and friends traveled from his home parish in Rangamati and the Chittagong Hill Tracts to witness this joyous occasion. The church was beautifully decorated by the local SMRA Sisters, and the parish choir rendered melodious hymns that enhanced the solemnity of the liturgy.
Immediately after the Mass, a reception was held at Arrupe Niwas, where a sumptuous lunch was served to all. In keeping with local tradition, Eucharistic Adoration and the Gaye Holud ceremony were conducted on January 30, 2026, at Arrupe Niwas. Archbishop Lawrence Subrata Howlader, along with the Jesuits and some of Deacon Newton’s relatives, was present for the ceremony. Father Newton celebrated his First Mass on February 1, 2026, at Arrupe Niwas, where Fr. Milton Costa preached an inspiring homily. He later celebrated his First Mass in his home parish on February 7, 2026. Frs. Probash Rozario and Ripon Rozario attended the celebration there. The entire ordination program was coordinated by a committee headed by Fr. Probash Rozario, with Frs. Srijon, Rohit, and Sunny serving as members.