On this fifth Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2024, the CM Province of the Congo celebrated with great solemnity the ordination of three new priests: Fathers Ronsard MBOOBATA, Michel DJAMBU and Daniel MBOYO. The ceremony took place in the historic parish of St. Vincent de Paul in Bikoro, located 125 kilometers from the vibrant city of Mbandaka. Under the paternal gaze of His Excellency Archbishop Ernest NGBOKO, CICM, Metropolitan Archbishop of Mbandaka-Bikoro, these young men were invested with the sacrament of priestly ordination in a moving liturgy that brought together faithful from all parts of the pastoral region, attended with devotion by the Lazarist brothers.

The liturgical event also marked the thirtieth anniversary of the beatification of Venerable Isidore BAKANJA, a layman and martyr of this archdiocese, whose memory remains a beacon of inspiration for the faithful. In his homily, the Metropolitan Archbishop reminded the new priests of the sacred responsibility they assume in serving the Roman Catholic Church.

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass, before an excited crowd that had come from all corners of the Archdiocese, and in the presence of an outstanding representation of the clergy and religious orders, Father Visitor, on behalf of the Superior General, expressed sincere thanks to the Archbishop for his support and guidance, and extended warm congratulations to the newly ordained. He urged them to remain steadfast in their vocation as heralds of the Gospel and to follow St. Vincent de Paul’s example of charity and service, thus being true witnesses of Christ’s love in the world.