By Temwa Teresa Mhango
July 19th, 2025, will remain a memorable day in the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu following the colorful ordination of the four deacons to priesthood by His Lordship Yohane Suzgo Nyirenda, the bishop of the Diocese.
The eucharist celebration for this sacramental ceremony took place at St Peters Cathedral in Mzuzu.
In delivering the homily of the day, the bishop commended the new priests for choosing to serve God as Catholic priests and he also asked them to practice love referring to as it is preached by Jesus Christ in the gospel of John chapter 4 and he further encouraged them to be attentive to the Christians they will be serving.
” You are going out to an environment different from the seminary setup where programs are implemented according to plan drawn but in parishes or places you will be ministering sometimes things happen at a slow pace, have patience and a listening ear to people before reacting and acting, “ said Bishop Nyirenda.
Bishop Nyirenda presenting certificates to the new ordained priests.
Bishop Nyirenda further asked all the catholic Christians in the diocese to pray and support the new priests in their ministry.
The four new diocesan priests are Father Innocent Nkhambule and Father James Nkhoma both from St Theresa Parish, Father Victor Nkhata from St Micheals Pro Parish and Yohane Mwale from St Martin De Porres Parish.
These new priests have made their promises to pray the liturgy of the holy hours daily (Breviary prayers), to be obedient to their bishop and to live a celibate life, made vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Speaking after the ordination Mass, all the new priests expressed the profound happiness and described their ordination day as God’s unconditional love and plan for them, and they also encouraged the fellow youths in the diocese not to be afraid in responding to God’s calling.
Following this Ordination Mass, the Bishop has sent Father Innocent Nkhambule to serve as curate at St Micheals Pro Parish in Ekwendeni, Father James Nkhoma to serve as curate at St Bernadette Parish- Chibavi in Mzuzu, Father Victor Nkhata to serve as curate at St Joseph Parish in Nkhatabay and Father Yohane Mwale to serve as curate at St John’s Parish in Mzambazi.
Priesthood is one of the sacraments of holy orders along with order of deacons and order of bishops.
