LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA — A Benedictine monk from Asirvanam Monastery, India, was ordained to the diaconate Saturday, April 3 by Most Rev. Gilbert I. Sheldon, Bishop Emeritus of Steubenville, in the Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Brother Peter N. Rayappan, O.S.B., is a student at Saint Vincent Seminary.

The son of Nicholas and Amalorpavam of Dharmapuri, India, he is a 1992 graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Dharmapuri. He received a P.U.C. degree from Saint Antony’s College in Krishnagiri, India. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Mysore University in 1998.