On Saturday, February 10, 2024, four student friars from the Seraphicum College were ordained to the diaconate at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome. The newly ordained were Friars Pius Asom ELLERN from Ghana; Tomás Valerio ZEBALLO CABALLERO from Paraguay; and Augustine KADDU and Paul MUTAASA from Uganda. They were ordained through the imposition of hands and consecratory prayer of His Eminence, Cardinal Mauro GAMBETTI.
Those concelebrating with the cardinal included the Most Reverend Martin KMETEC, Archbishop of Izmir; the Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI; the Minister Provincial of Cracow, Poland, Friar Marian GOŁĄB; and the Minister Provincial of Northern Italy, Friar Roberto BRANDINELLI.
The celebration was very emotional, especially for those being ordained. It was a very special day for them. They were aware that diaconal ordination is a great gift from God. They felt the responsibility they will bear from now on in exercising this ministry. Although they are still preparing for the priesthood, it is important for them to embrace this diaconal ministry, marked by minority and fraternity, mindful of the legacy left by our father St. Francis who was himself a deacon. In his homily, Cardinal GAMBETTI accentuated these Franciscan characteristics of ordained ministry within the Church, and above all, within the Conventual Franciscan Order.
Before the final blessing, the Vicar General thanked God for this great event for the Church and for the Order. He rejoiced with the Ministers Provincial present and expressed special thanks to the cardinal who, thanks to his ministry, and through the action of the Holy Spirit, conferred the diaconate upon his confreres. The Vicar General also thanked the friars’ formators. Finally, he congratulated the new deacons on this very important step in their lives.
The newly ordained Friar Pius, speaking on behalf of the other newly ordained deacons, thanked those present, particularly the cardinal; the concelebrants; the Ministers Provincial, the Rector of the Seraphicum College, Friar Adam MĄCZKA; the other formators and in a special way, Friar Łukasz JANKOWSKI and the Spiritual Director, Friar Blasio Ooko OLENGE. He also thanked the professors of the Seraphicum and its Rector, Friar Raffaele DI MURO. Then he thanked all the friars at the General Curia, the Vigna Friary and the Seraphicum, as well as the Pastor of the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles, Friar Francesco CELESTINO and all those who participated in the preparation of the beautiful celebration.
After the final blessing, the new deacons very joyously participated in a fraternal agape meal with the other guests.
Friar Tomás Valerio ZEBALLO CABALLERO
