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Ordenación sacerdotal en Bujumbura, Burundi Ordination in Bujumbura, Burundi Priesterweihe in Bujumbura, Burundi |
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Ordenación del segundo Padre de Schoenstatt de Burundi The second Burundian Schoenstatt Father is ordained Der zweite burundische Schönstattpater empfängt die Weihe |
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Un momento de alegría y emoción A moment of joy and emotion Ein Festtag für die Schönstattbewegung in Burundi |
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P. Heinrich Walter, Superior General Fr. Heinrich Walter, Superior General P. Heinrich Walter, Generaloberer Fotos: P. Deo © 2006 |
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BURUNDI, P. Deogratias Maruhukiro. The weekend of December 17/18 there were many activities in the Schoenstatt Shrine of Mount Sion Gikungu. Deacon Felicien Nimbona of the "Fire of the Father" course was ordained as a priest and the ceremony of taking the Tunica of Sion was also held for nine novices of the community of Schoenstatt Fathers;
It was Saturday the 17th of December. The Eucharist began at 9:30 a.m. and it lasted almost four hours which is usual for a Holy Mass of Ordination in Burundi. The bishop of the Diocese of Bujumbura (capital of Burundi), Monsignor Evariste Ngoyagoye presided over the celebration. The Apostolic Nuncio and several local political authorities were also present. More than 40 priests concelebrated. The superior general of the Schoenstatt Fathers, Father Heinrich Walter, the provincial superior from Switzerland, Father Edwin Germann, the novice master in Nigeria, Father Roman and other priests who work in the country: Father Paul Zingg, superior of the Burundi filial, Father Claudio Jeria (from Chile), rector of students and director of the Schoenstatt Movement, and Father Mauricio, also from Chile, who works with the youth were also present.
A dance of praise for God
Although the Holy Mass was long it was not too much for the people, because the celebration was very entertaining. The Eucharist is always a feast, and in Africa – especially in Burundi- this invitation of God to his table is celebrated. Two moments were marked during the ceremony: during the singing of the litany of the saints the emotion of the people was noticeable; the presence of the Holy Spirit was truly felt. The other moment was the thanksgiving. It was something so special that it cannot be expressed in words. You have to live the moment, to experience it personally: after communion, some beautiful songs were sung to thank God for all the gifts and goods that he has granted. It is not only sung, but it is also danced. The new priest as well as the Bishop danced in thanksgiving to God. The rhythm and the melody of the songs made them dance: You must move. You must allow yourself to be moved by the Spirit, then everyone started dancing even if they thought they could not do it. For example, you could see the German superior general –little by little begin to move following the rhythm. He came close to raising his hands to dance as a gesture of praise to the Lord. A special case, was Father Claudio, who stood up and danced with all his heart and with great joy. For the people of God from this place this is a great testimony of faith: for someone to little by little begin to enculturate. Dance is an expresión of joy and of gratitude to the God of kindness. At the end of the Holy Mass the new priest and the novices went to the Shrine to thank the Blessed Mother for this marvelous gift of priesthood. They were accompanied by all the people., led by the Bishop, the Nuncio, the general superior and the provincial.
The First Holy Mass in Mutumba
The following day the new priest celebrated his first Holy Mass in his parish of Mutumba.
This was the first parish to receive the Schoenstatt Movement in Burundi, and it has the privilege of having the first Schoenstatt Shrine in the country for forty years. The people of Burundi, where the new priest was born, almost filled the church and they participated activiely during the Holy Mass. Afterwards there was a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Confidence in Mutumba, that according to the testimony of the new priest, educated him and helped him on his road toward priesthood.
Finally everyone wished the new priest and all his friends great apostolic fruitfulness, from the Shrine of Sion Gikungu: a very Ferry Christmas and much peace and joy in the New Year.
Translation: Celina M Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA