Dear Friends of this darling community space, permit me share with you the Priestly Ordination that took place in ST Joseph's Cathedral, Mankon in Bamenda Archdiocese on the 25th April 2025, officiated by the Archbishop of the Bamenda Archdiocese His Lordship Andrew Nkea the Archbishop of Bamenda Archdiocese.
It was an amazing ceremony that brought Bishops, Priests, faithful and non faithful to be witnesses to this priestly ordination as seen through the eyes of Rev. Lukong Valery a native of Kumbo in Bui Division, of the North west region of Cameroon. Rev. Valery Lukong like his colleagues of this priestly ordination satisfactory passed through the "four pillars of priestly formation, which are; the academic, pastoral, spiritual and human formation, all directed to the unique vocation of configuration to Christ to act in his person as head and pastor of the church and in the name of the whole people of God as conferred in the sacrament of orders. Thus making them qualified for the Priestly Ordination.
°Priestly ordination is a sacramental Ceremony where a man is officially made priest, enabling him to act in the name of Christ to serve the church and it's people. It's a process of consecration, elevating him from the lay status to the clergy granting him the authority to perform religious rites and sacraments. This ceremony involves various rituals, including the laying of hands, prayer of ordination and the presentation of Liturgical objects.
√ As Rev Father Valery Lukong and his Colleagues were ordained as priests after having served as deacons, before being ordained priests, Rev Father Valery Lukong actually took about eleven years in his priestly formation. I would like here to put more light on the Priestly Ordination, as seen beneath.
✓ Let's look at the Sacramental Act:
° Ordination is considered a Sacrament in the Catholic church, meaning it's a visible sign of an invisible grace, dignifying a man's transformation and consecration to Christ's service.
✓Call to Ministry*:
° A man is ordained to a priesthood after a period of discernment and preparation, demonstrating a call to dedicate his life to serving God and the church.
√ Authority to Act:
° Through ordination, a priest receives authority to preach the word of God, administer the sacrament ( especially the Eucharist ) and guides the FAITHFUL.
✓ Laying on of Hands:
° This is a central ritual, where the bishops ( or other ordained bishop ) places his hands on the head of the candidate, invoking the holy spirit and conferring the Priestly gifts.
✓ Prayer of Ordination
° A specific Prayer is recited during the ceremony, asking God to bless the candidate and grant him necessary grace and power to fulfill his priestly duties.
✓ Presentation of Symbols:
°The newly ordained priests is typically presented with liturgical objects like a Chalice and Paten symbolizing his role in the Eucharist.
✓ Sign of Peace.
° The newly ordained priest is welcomed into the order of priests by the bishop and other priests, often through a sign of peace.
✓ First Mass:
° Following ordination, the new priest celebrate his first mass, a significant milestone in the Priestly journey.
✓ The role of a priest
° Preaching the word:
√ Priest are responsible for proclaiming the Gospel message and teaching the faithful about God's love and salvation.
√ Administering sacraments
°They lead in the celebration of the sacraments particularly the Eucharist, which is seen as a central act of worship.
√ Guiding and serving:
° Priests offer pastoral care to the community, providing spiritual guidance, counseling, and support.
✓ Representing:
° Through their ministry, priests are seen as acting in the person of Christ, continuing his mission of love and service.
It should be noted here that the Rite of Ordination is what makes one a priest, having already been a deacon and with the Minister of the holy orders being a validly ordained bishop. The Rite of Ordination occurs within the context of the holy mass. After being called forward and presented to the assembly, the candidates are interrogated. Being done with the four pillars of priestly formation along with other rites satisfactory passed, in the ceremony of priestly ordination the ordained could then make a sigh of relief, however the great journey they have be prepared for has just begun, and they need the prayers of everyone to help them in the discharge of the calling.
° Offerings: Offering was done in different boxes and of three lines each according to the ordained Priests. And different categories of offerings was done , with the last being special offering offered by the families of the ordained Priests.
✓ Among other things the faithful presented seed or food to the bishop or hierarchy as it's the tradition.
PART TWO OF THE ORDINATION
After the part one of the ceremony was over, the ordained Priests and their families had also organized reception ceremony at different locations according to different priests ordained. My focus was on Rev Father Valery Lukong an indigent of Kumbo in Bui Division of the north west region of Cameroon where I come from.
✓ Featuring at the reception were speeches, sketches, presentation of gifts to the priest and gifting from the priest, hectic refreshment, salutations of the guests and attendees from table to table by the ordained priest and finally photos and departure of the population.
Thank you for following, hope this made your day. Keep encouraging me by reading and voting my content. Your dear friend Mnkong Emmanuel Saah
