On May 18th, the Church and the C.PP.S. Province of Tanzania sang a hymn of joy that “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad” (Ps. 118:24) as they celebrated the priestly ordination of five members:  Fr. Bonaventura Pantaleo Mushi, Fr. Severin Angelus Hyera, Fr. Hilary Theobald Ngowi, Fr. Godfrey George Boge and Fr. Faustino Paulo Maganga.

The ordination was conferred at the parish Church of the Body and Blood of Christ, Kola B, by Most Rev. Telesphor Mkude, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Morogoro. In attendance were many missionaries, priests, religious, Lay Associates, friends and faithful from different dioceses and parishes where the Missionaries of the Precious Blood render services. In a special way this celebration was also attended by Fr. Pietro Battista, C.PP.S, the former Provincial Director of Italy, Fr. Terenzio Pastore, C.PP.S, the current Provincial Director of Italy and Fr. Andrea Biaggi, C.PP.S, also of the Province of Italy.

During the celebration, Bishop Mkude preached that the love of Christ continues to manifest itself everyday through different events, as we witness in the vocation of the five new priests. He further added that at the time of the birth of Jesus, angels sang “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will.” (Lk. 2:14) Before His ascension into heaven, the resurrected Christ appeared to His disciples and said, “Peace be with you” (Jn. 20:19). The Bishop noted that the first and the last word of Jesus in His life on earth was “Peace” showing that He is the King of peace. hTherefore, he challenged the new priests to be ambassadors of this peace through propagation of the love of the Blood of Christ.

Also during this celebration, one of the new priests, Fr. Bonaventura Mushi, was appointed to collaborate with the C.PP.S Province of Italy in the apostolate of Albania. He was sent officially as a missionary by Fr. Chesco Msaga, the C.PP.S Provincial Director of Tanzania. and he accepted a missionary cross as a sign of readiness for the mission. 

After the celebration all who attended gathered together for entertainment and a festive meal. 

Story and photos courtesy of Fr. Egidius Seneda, CPPS, Provincial Secretary.