(ANS – Lubumbashi) – On Sunday, 12 May 2024, during the Eucharist for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, Rector Major of the Salesians of Don Bosco, ordained 12 young Salesians as deacons. The celebration took place in the courtyard of the Salesian Institute at Imara, in Lubumbashi, and lasted a total of about three hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (UTC+2).
The new deacons come from Our Lady of the Assumption Province Central Africa (AFC), and one each from the Mary Help of Christians Vice-Province Africa Congo (ACC), St Charles Lwanga Africa Great Lakes (AGL) and Mary Immaculate Madagascar (MDG). It was the first time that the Rector Major, ordained Archbishop of Ursona less than a month ago (on 20 April), has presided over an ordination ceremony.
The Mass was solemn in every aspect: richly animated from a liturgical and musical point of view, carried out in front of a large assembly of the faithful, concelebrated by over 100 priests, including Bishop Gaston Ruwezi, SDB, Bishop of Sakania-Kipushi, Bishop François Abeli, Bishop of Kindu, and Bishop Nestor Ngoy Kathawa, Bishop emeritus of Kolwezi and former student of the Pontifical Salesian University (UPS) in Rome. The Archbishop of Lubumbashi and local ordinary was represented by his two Vicar Generals, Msgr. Denis Moto, Head of Pastoral Care, and Msgr. Emmanuel Mumba, Head of Works.
The celebration took place in an atmosphere of great joy for the Christian community present, made up mostly of members of the families of the deacons and local Salesian Family.
Also present were the Deputy Governor of Upper Katanga Province, the Provincial Minister of Finance, the Minister of Culture and Arts, and many other civil authorities. The mixed choir from the Don Bosco University of Lubumbashi and the Marie Auxiliatrice Higher Institute of Arts and Crafts of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians led the celebration in praise of God.
In the homily, inspired by the Gospel of the day (Mk 16:15 -20), Card. Fernández Artime urged the ordinands to be humble and faithful servants who, with faith and courage bring the Good News to the abandoned and the needy, wherever religious obedience sends them. “You will always find the model in Jesus, our Saviour, because he was always a servant among us, and so he revealed to us the mystery of God’s love” the Rector Major said.
At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, three speeches were read: one by Mgr. Denis Moto, one by Fr Guillermo Basañes, Superior of AFC, and one by Fr Tryphon Kalimira, Vice-Provincial of AFC.
After the ordination Mass, the new deacons, consecrated members and guests of the day gathered in the green garden of the Salesian community in Imara to continue the feast in agape and fraternal joy. The educative and pastoral community in Imara, together with several groups of young scouts and members of the Kiro Movement, guaranteed the safety and smooth running of Sunday activities, in the presence of the 10th Successor of Don Bosco.
“Radio Don Bosco” Lubumbashi
Source link : https://www.infoans.org/en/component/k2/item/21095
Author :
Publish date : 2024-05-14 07:00:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.