Text by Roger LaBonté:
Ordination of Moses Okwana in Usuk Parish, Soroti
Diocese, Uganda
The
2nd of August 2008 started off with a special blessing, as the morning
presented us with abundance of rain. This time it was indeed a blessing,
as rain was needed for the crops after a rather long dry spell. But then
the rain also honoured the day which was supposed to be the day of the
Ordination to the Priesthood of our brother Moses Okwana. So we all headed
for Usuk about 10 miles away. Many people had already gathered when we
arrived at the Parish, which the M.Afr. Had handed over to the local clergy
before embarking on the new foundation of Katakwi.
Jos
van Boxel from Lavigerie House Jinja had collected Bishop Emeritus Wandera
from Mbale, who in fact was delighted to come for the ordination. (The
actual bishop was out of the country). We wasted no time in vesting in
the church from which we processed to the Christian community with Deacon
Moses next to the Bishop and our new provincial, Rudi Lehnertz, who carried
out his role as a real pro!
What
impressed me most about the ceremony was how prayerful and yet very human
it was. Moses was up on a sort of stage with the Bishop, our provincial,
the VG, the PP while the 17 or so M.Afrs including our own young men in
various stages of formation, plus several diocesan priests, were placed
in front closing the U with Moses’ parents seated facing the stage,
with the people all over. One of the most moving moments was when the
parents processed in with dancers jumping and the choir singing, presenting
their son to the Bishop. Always moving, too, is to witness all the priests
coming to impose their hands on the head of the ordinand.
When
the consecrating prayer was offered and the MC announced that he was now
“Father Moses”, the crowd went wild with joy. Many of us were
struck to see how the Teso women are so exuberant. Even Moses’ mother
was enthusiastically waving her arms and shouting all sorts of JOY. His
father was much more quiet. Fr Moses was then warmly embraced by his parents,
the priests and religious, each often whispering a message in his ear
and he doing the same. For instance, he reminded me of the text of Scripture
enveloping the CROSS in the chapel where he made his retreat: THIS …..
IS THE LOVE I MEAN!
At
the time of Communion, there was an older lady who was a bit “mad”
who danced with rattles on her legs and singing. When Rudi passed by her
bringing the ciborium back to the altar, she suddenly stopped and asked
to receive. He gave her a big warm smile and placed a host on her tongue
and she was filled with the joy of the Lord. There was also a dwarf who
had been a friend of the Franciscan sisters of old who expressed his own
joy pounding Moses for all he was worth at the time of the embrace. Yes,
very human indeed, each accepted for who he/she is!
Before the end as our custom is Rudi asked the Bishop to commission him
there in the name of his people. That too was very meaningful. At the
end of the Mass there were a few very short but inspiring messages given.
Roger LaBonté
Lourdel House
