On October 4, 2019, the Solemnity of our Seraphic Father, St. Francis of Assisi, two of our friars, Elias Mutale CHIMFWEMBE and Obed Chibale SESA were ordained to the diaconate by the Most Reverend Patrick CHISANGA, OFM Conv., Bishop of Mansa, Zambia. The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Mansa.
During the homily, the bishop reminded the congregants that the month of October was a special month for the Catholic Church, as it is the Month of the Rosary. At the same time, it is a special month during which we Christians celebrate the Extraordinary Missionary Month whose theme is, “Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World.” Addressing the congregation and the newly ordained, the bishop gave a homily based on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. He emphasized the need to have people who, by their sacrifice and selflessness, can change our country, our society and the world over.
The day before the ordination, twenty-four friars and six novices, together with the Minister Provincial and his Definitory, celebrated the Transitus of our Seraphic Father St. Francis of Assisi for the first time in the Diocese of Mansa. The event took place at the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Mansa, Luapula Province, Zambia. It was a grace-filled, joyous time for the parishioners to see the friars in their grey habits. This was especially true for those parishioners seeing them for the first time.
Friar Mathews KASONGO, Provincial Secretary
