On Monday morning, November 9, 2020, the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, seven friars from the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia, and a Dominican, were ordained to the priesthood at the St. Anthony of Padua Franciscan Centre and Parish Church in Kansenshi, a suburb of Ndola, Zambia.
The seven new priests are Friars Evaristo Kabaso MWAPE, Gordon Bwalya FUNDANGA, Emmanuel Mwape MULENGA, Kasonde Mushimwa CHAMA, Barnabas KASONDE, Elias Mutale CHIMFWEMBE and Obed Chibale SESA. They were ordained by the Most Reverend Benjamin PHIRI, Bishop of Ndola, Zambia.
The bishop based his homily on the liturgical readings for the feast day. He emphasized the significance and importance of God’s grace in the life of every Christian. This grace must be maintained by being holy.
He exhorted those being ordained, telling them that in the rite of ordination, candidates to priesthood receive the laying-on of hands so that they will be consecrated to the Lord. They become priests to minister to the people and make them holy, to sanctify their souls. That is why priests are not ordinary individuals; they are consecrated. They become God’s ministers. Moreover, they become Christ-like as they act on behalf of Christ.
He stressed that priests belong to God. They are called to bless those with whom they come into contact so that they might be sanctified. Priests must pray daily so that the power of Christ within them is not diminished by sin. They must be humble before God and the people if they are to be effective ministers in the Church.
Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia
