By Laureta Mendy
The Diocese of Banjul recently ordained five deacons to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Bishop Dr. Gabriel Mendy CSSP at Saint Therese’s Lower Basic School. For the first time in the history of the Diocese of Banjul, five deacons are called to serve, breaking the record of 28 years ago when four deacons: Rev Fr. Antoine Sambou, the late Rev Fr. Bruno Tupan, the late Fr. Emil Sambou and his Lordship, the current bishop of the Diocese of Banjul; were ordained in joyful ceremony.
The new priests: Rev.Fr. Felix Boisey, Rev. Fr. Joseph Kabou, Rev. Fr Paul Donkor, Rev. Fr. Sutty Jatta, and Rev. Fr. Michael Ruben Gabiddon were ordained before hundreds of faithful, family members, and clergy, in a celebration filled with prayers and music, marking a significant milestone in their spiritual journey and the life of the church.
The ordination rites include the laying on of hands, the prayer of consecration, the prostration of the deacons while the litany of the saints is being sung, vesting of the new priests in stole by the assigned priests, family members dressing them in their traditional attire, and praying for the bishop.
The celebration was marked by a solemn procession by the clergy, vibrant and soul-touching, choral songs from the choir, a homily by his lordship, and joyful participation from the congregation.
Following the mass, the new priests gave their first blessings to the attendees, exchanged pleasantries with friends and family while receiving congratulatory messages.
A reception was organised for the priests and some invited guests while first masses were planned in their respective home parishes the next day.
In an interview with Reverend Father Felix Boisey, one of the newly ordained priests, he expressed joy at being ordained a priest. “To be a priest is a great blessing. It is a call to serve God and His people, touch the lives of many, and help the needy in any possible way I can”.
About the reactions he got from his family and friends on his decision of going to the seminary, Rev Felix said unlike other parents who find it difficult to let their children join the vacation life, “mine’s reaction surprised me because they never objected my decision of going to the seminary; instead they were happy about the news. In fact, they conveyed me to the seminary”.
On what inspired him to join the priesthood, Reverend Father Felix Boisey said his inspiration came from the morals and the teachings of the church instilled in him by Father Moses Drammeh, his then parish priest.
He advised the younger generation of boys who doubt their calling to the vacation life to accept it with optimism and be sure of making the best decisions of their lives.
