What a wonderful day! For Catholic students of Technical University of Kenya, You would get surprised when I share this beautiful narrative with you after a long period of staying without having attended an ordination ceremony. It sounds interesting to read and internalize the events that took place on 20th June 2023. We attended the priestly ordination of Deacon Saasita, who is our students at Technical University of Kenya, pursuing a Bachelor’s in Printing Technology. Being our own in the YCS family, we were happy for his commitment and successful entry into the order of Priesthood.
When was the last time you were in an ordination ceremony of either Deaconate or Priesthood? Please take time and understand how the ordination is conducted and celebrated. We learn a lot as students. The ordination was celebrated at St. Monica Parish in Njiru, by his eminence Archbishop Philip Anyolo.
A total of 5 Deacons were ordained into the priesthood:
- Father Mutinda Dominic
- Father Saasita Faustin
- Father Heritier Nsenge Mpia
- Father Ssembajjwe Kizito
- Father Byamukama Augustine
And five seminarians were ordained into the Deaconate:
- Deacon Andabwa Boniface
- Deacon Kimani Kuria Gregory
- Deacon Kouepou Kouepou Jovic
- Deacon Mbaeze Nnaemeka Dominic
- Deacon Ravelonirina Claude Orlando
The ordination ceremony holds immense significance in the Roman Catholic Church, embodying tradition and continuity of faith. It symbolizes the transformative moment when a soul becomes a conduit of divine grace. Through customs like laying hands and anointing, we connect the ordination to centuries of history. It grounds us in timeless truths, reminding us that faith is a living force.
As Father SaaSita [above middle] embraces his calling, may his ministry be a beacon of hope, love, and forgiveness.
The Archbishop, his Lordship Philip Anyolo, presided over the ordination ceremony. He gave a wonderful homily about respecting Mother Mary since she is a representative for all mothers. In the same way, we love Mother Mary; we must do the same to our mothers and all the mothers around us. He added that if we have to follow the character of Blessed Mother Mary, we ought to live a good Christian life that pleases God. The right path for a Christian to follow is doing what Christ did, for example, helping those vulnerable and assisting others to know more about God.
After the ordination ceremony, we shared a cake to celebrate the milestone of the newly ordained achievement. It was a moment of jubilant and ecstasy, as friends and family members of the newly ordained took time to take memory pictures in celebrating the priests and deacons.
After the sumptuous lunch, the final celebrations of pure bliss that got newly ordained on toes were dancing and being carried high. This wasn’t our first-time seeing Priests and Deacons being carried up while the congregation continued celebrations. Many people presented their gifts, including rewarding two other priests who were celebrating their 25th year -Jubilee in the priesthood
It was an ordination worth attending, remembering having received the blessing from the newly ordained priest Father Faustin [above right]. It was everyone’s prayer that we continue witnessing such ceremonies and pray for a successful journey for the newly ordained Deacons to enter Priesthood next year. God is for us; nothing shall be against us. We are waiting to carry out a homecoming party soon as we usher in our newly ordained Priest, Rev. Father Faustin, for the opening Mass in September 2023.
By Gloria Mutiku