On June 14, 2024, four friars were ordained to the diaconate by His Eminence Cardinal François-Xavier BUSTILLO, OFM Conv., Bishop of Ajaccio, France. The event took place at the Pontifical Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua.
The newly ordained deacons are Friars John Decribb Jackson AMANKWAA (Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana), Benedict Nestory MSOFFE and Simon Michael SHIMBE (Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania) and Grégoire LEFÈVRE (Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium). Each of them has a different story, but they all share the same faith and the same calling. During his homily, Cardinal BUSTILLO mentioned that the Rite of Ordination is full of very meaningful gestures and symbols that all refer back to Jesus as the servant of all, and this is precisely the call of the deacon.
On June 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., some friars renewed their simple vows during a ceremony at the Seraphicum International College in Rome. They are Friars Lucien BASSOLE, Windpidisda-Alain ZOUNGRANA and Honoré Kionbi KABORE (Burkina Faso); Samuel Thiong’ o KINYUA, John MUTUKU, Wesley Kiplangat CHERUIYOT and Ben Antony Mbeki OWINO (Kenya); Filip BUŚKO (Poland); Vasile PERICICĂ (Romania); Deus MUGALU and Jovan Joseph LUBOWA (Uganda); Fakhridin IBRAGIMOV (Uzbekistan); Joseph Cường Hùng NGUYỄN and Joseph Huynh Đức VŨ (Vietnam); and Julius BANDA (Zambia).
Coming from around the world, these friars bring with them their own culture, experience and faith, enriching the Franciscan community with the diversity of their origins. During the ceremony, the friars renewed their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience into the hands of the Rector and Guardian of the Seraphicum, Friar Adam MĄCZKA. Thus, they committed themselves to live according to the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi. This act of renewal symbolizes their continued dedication to serving God and humanity through religious life. Also on June 15, there was a farewell party to honor some friars who were leaving the Seraphicum. They had completed their studies or received new obediences. That evening, the Franciscan community took the opportunity to express its gratitude and affection for Friars Roberto LIGGERI, Elijah Mwiti MUNENE, Benedict MSOFFE, Simon SHIMBE and Ronnie KIBAGAJJO. Each of them contributed to the life of the college and to the spiritual and academic formation of the friars. During the party, memories were shared and encouraging words and hugs were exchanged. The community members expressed their gratitude for the time they got to spend with the departing friars and wished them well on their future journey.
Friar Benedict MSOFFE
