On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte were conferred upon a number of student friars at the Seraphicum College in Rome. The ceremony took place during 7:00 p.m. Mass, presided over by the Vicar General, Friar Jan MACIEJOWSKI.
Those receiving the Ministry of Lector were Friar Francesco IANNELLO from the Italian Province of the Immaculate Conception (Sicily and Calabria); Friars Binson THOMAS MULAVARICKAL and Antony KUZHUVELIL XAVIER from the Province of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in India; Friar Filip BUŚKO from the Province of St. Anthony and Bl. James of Strepar in Poland (Cracow); Friars Wesley Kiplangat CHERUIYOT and Ben Antony Mbeki OWINO from the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Kenya; Friars Justice Kwame YALLEY and Dennis Dei AGYEKUM from the Provincial Custody of St. Anthony of Padua in Ghana; Friar Honoré Kionbi KABORE from the Provincial Delegation in Burkina Faso; and Friar Jovan Joseph LUBOWA from the Provincial Delegation in Uganda.
Those receiving the Ministry of Acolyte were Friar Julius BANDA from the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia; Friars Samuel Thiong’o KINYUA and John Mutisya MUTUKU from the Province of Kenya; Friars Tuna Jacob MANTRY and Jubin JACOB THEKKEL from the Province of India; Friar Deus MUGALU from the Provincial Delegation in Uganda, Friar Héctor Manuel CORBAL CRUZ from the Provincial Delegation in Cuba, Friar Vasile PERICICĂ from the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B. V.M. in Romania; and Friar Emmanuel ROUX of the Provincial Custody of St. Bonaventure in France-Belgium.
These two ministries are significant milestones on the friars’ path to the priesthood; they help them become aware of the importance of proclaiming the Word of God and serving at the altar during liturgical celebrations. While the Word invites us to draw nourishment from the rich teachings of our Lord Jesus, the Eucharist strengthens our lives with its grace and helps us to grow in communion and truth, to be authentic sons of the one heavenly Father. Thus, the Word and the Eucharist represent the foundation and high point of our existence. They are the source of grace and strength we need to continue growing on our spiritual journey.
Let us thank the Lord for the gift He has placed in the hands of these brothers of ours, with the hope that they will make it bear fruit for the glory of God and for the good of their brothers and sisters.
Friar Adam MĄCZKA, Guardian and Rector
