Hymns filled Our Lady of Star of the Sea Cathedral in Takoradi that Saturday. It was not a usual mass that was being held, it was the priestly ordination of three gallant men.
Reverend Deacons; Martin Kwesi Cromwell, Sylvester Asare and Augustine Bob Kumi decided some years ago to embark on this journey and after 10 years of spiritual and intellectual training, the time was ripe for them to be formally introduced into the fraternity.
It was also the diaconate ordination of Goodwill Nketsiah.
Clad in white, families, friends, well-wishers and spectators took their seats in the chapel to witness firsthand the spiritual exercise that would take place to ensure that the trio sees their dream actualised.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Rev. Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski, was in charge of this spiritual transformation.
Accompanied by priests from the Sekondi-Takoradi Diocese as well as other clergymen from far and near, each of the clerics laid hands on the candidates.
Prior to the ordination of the trio, the Nuncio asked the yet-to-be-ordained priests to serve as people who will guide others into the light of God.
He emphasised that the priesthood is a gift from God given to humanity to participate in his divinity; thus, they should be willing to serve as missionaries of the gospel.
Archbishop Jagodzinski advised the newly-ordained priests to be mindful of worldly things and be faithful to their promises.
He encouraged them to be steadfast and not to be afraid.
After a series of rites including laying of the hands on the candidates, the angels and Saints of the Holy Church were invoked onto them.
The Nuncio subsequently prayed the ancient Prayer of Consecration and with the congregation responding “Amen” to the Bishop’s prayer as a sign of assent, the three were officially Reverend Fathers.
Well-wishers could not hold back their excitement. Amidst singing and dancing, they joined the newly-ordained priests to celebrate this new chapter of their lives.
The trio, in their address, asked the congregants to keep supporting them with prayers since the journey they are about to embark on is tough.
“We are currently done with the first phase of this chapter of our lives, which was being a seminarian. Now we have entered the second phase which is being a priest. This chapter is more challenging and we will need your support.
“Continue to remember us in your prayers,” Rev. Fr. Augustine Bob Kumi said while giving the vote of thanks.
“Now thank we all our God,” the choir sang as the clerical state exited the Cathedral.
The newly-ordained priests were thankful and beamed with smiles.
With their now consecrated hands, they can now bless, break bread and lift souls to Christ.
