CONGO/BURUNDI, Fr. Charles Ozioko/mf •
April 11, Sunday of Mercy, was a feast for the Schoenstatt Fathers and the entire Schoenstatt Family of Burundi and Congo. Two Schoenstatt Fathers from Congo were ordained priests, and one seminarian from Burundi was ordained deacon in Mont Sion Gikungu in Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. —
In four languages – Kirundi, Kiswahili, French, and English – the community of the Schoenstatt Fathers invited to join the priestly ordination of Fr Emmanuel Kahawi, and Fr. Christian Murhabale, both from the diocese of Bukavu, Congo, and the deacon`s ordination of Japhet Simbizi, from the diocese of Bubanza, Burundi.
A beautiful celebration with more than 50 priests and over 6,000 faithful present
The theologians from Burundi and Congo study in Nigeria; the ones who were ordained today were the first group that went to Nigeria. Fr. Charles Ozioko from Nigeria, rector of the seminary there, was present at the ordination in Burundi.
He shares:
“Today was the ordination of three of our brothers here in Mont Sion Gikungu, Burundi. It was a nice celebration presided by Archbishop Gervais Banshimiyubusa of Bujumbura. Many priests were also in attendance, I could not count them, but certainly more than 50 priests were there: friends of the community, Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests, friends also from Congo, as the two brothers to be ordained priests, Fr. Christian, and Fr. Emmanuel, are from Congo, and the brother to be ordained deacon, Japhet, is from Burundi.
The celebration began at 10:00 AM, with many people in attendance, I would say between 6,000 and 7,000 people. The church was filled, and many stood outside. After the Mass, there was a procession to the Shrine, where they made their consecration to the Blessed Mother. Afterward, there was a reception.
For me, it was remarkable to see that the Archbishop stayed with us from the beginning until the end of the celebration, which was a grateful surprise. Many friends of the community and members of the Schoenstatt Family were here, several authorities and people from the Academia were present. It was really a genuinely nice and beautiful celebration with many highlights. The families of the brothers were incredibly happy. Our community is grateful for these ordinations.”
The future is in Africa.
Collaboration: Fr. Pablo Pol, Argentina
