Congolese Ordination into the Catholic Priesthood

It was the weekend July 27th and the weather was just as picture perfect as it gets here in Goma. Sunshine but not too hot and nice breezes off the lake.












The altar was set with all the festive array of flowers and symbols of our Christian faith, and the people kept coming and finding places to sit.












The Ordination Mass for the Diocese of Goma which was scheduled to begin at 9am began the entrance processional at 10am.

As you look very closely in this throng of people you can see the Cross and the Holy Bible which led the procession of priests and seminarians from Diocese de Goma.













They came forward to the Altar two by two, bowing before the Cross and kissing the Altar before finding their chairs at the side as the crowd was singing, clapping, and dancing in the processional music.

And the last to find their chairs...the 6 Deacons who would become ordained in this Sacrament of the Roman Catholic Church. It will be the day they remember for the rest of their lives. The 6 sat in front of the Altar, waiting their participation in the Sacrament of Ordination.

I have been to many big Masses since my arrival here in Goma, but this one tops the list. This photo does not begin to give justice to the clergy and religious communities represented at this Ordination Mass. I just hope it gives some sense of how full and charismatic this worship was. You could not help but feel the Holy Spirit in this place.






Bishop Faustine Ngabu presided this Mass with the full joy of his office and though I have not had a chance to visit with him since that day I feel confident in saying this was a day of great happiness for him in his leadership of the Diocese of Goma. His joy in celebrating the Mass is always evident.







In this next photo you must look behind the plant in the forground to see the 6 deacons as they prostrate themselves before the Altar in the Rite of Ordination.






Here is a priest you have seen before, my friend and colleague from the Procure, Abbe Daniel Kitsa as he participates in the laying on of hands. Each priest present came forward in procession to impart this blessing on the head of each deacon. This laying on of hands is a sign of the work of the Holy Spirit and also a sign of the following of Apostalic succession.









This next photo is of friend and colleague from Caritas Goma, Abbe Oswald Musoni, as he passes the work of the Holy Spirit to the new priest. Abbe Oswald Musoni is the one who wrote my invitation letter so that I might be able to arrive here and be part of this wonderful work that St. Anne and St. John are participating in with Rugari Parish.







Bishop Ngabu welcomes one of the new priests to the Diocese.








The offering of this worship was something to behold. The Buhimba Seminary where these priest arrive for their theological education makes a request of its needs for the coming year and what a response it was.

It included cooking oil,








goats,






beans, and charcoal...they will eat well.
















And of course no celebration of this magnitude is complete without a post Mass banguet.

We ate wonderful food, drank many beverages, and enjoyed the most wonderful Traditional drumming, dancing and singing that I have seen since my arrival. The presenters included artists of Traditional Rwandan song and dance as well as Traditional Nanda performers. They were thrilling to watch and listen to...a feast for the eyes and the ears.
























Now I must close with one final 150 degree image of the attendants at the Ordination Mass of 2008. Those who know my story must know that I am hungry now, more than ever for this day in my life. Pray for the leaders of our churches as they lead us in the path of our Lord Jesus!