The diocesan family of Dédougou, gathered around their Bishop Mgr Prosper Bonaventure Ky, witnessed on Saturday July 08, 2023 at the Saint Anne Cathedral of Dédougou the presbyteral ordinations of five of his sons. They are Fathers Kisito Sabourou, Nesthor Ouédraogo, Damien Aka, Hypolite Mossé, and Father Célestin Sarambé of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers).
Five diocesan priests Abbots Kisito Sabourou and Nesthor Ouédraogo, both from the parish of Saint Pierre de Nyassan, Hypolite Mossé from the Sacred Heart Parish of Toma, Damien Aka from the Parish of Mary Mother of the Church of Oury and Father Célestin Sarambé from the Parish of Kiembara and member of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) were the five priests to receive the sacred order of the presbyterate on July 08, 2023 in Dédougou.
During the ordination mass presided over by the Bishop of the Diocese of Dédougou, Monsignor Prosper Bonaventure Ky, and surrounded by numerous priests, the young priests received the imposition and anointing of hands, priestly vestments and the handing over of the patern and the chalice, gestures which make them consecrated priests for the service of God and of the Christian people.
During his homily, Bishop Prosper Ky will say that it is a joy at the end of each year to be able to celebrate ordinations in the diocese. He took the opportunity to pay tribute to the parents of the young priests for the gift of their sons to the Church through their priestly ordination.
Likewise, he hailed the choice of young priests for their vocation. "At a time when young people are preoccupied with the goods of this world, you have chosen to consecrate yourself to the Church", said the Bishop.
He invited the young people to favor community life and prayer together. “Trust in God who called you long ago. Not for just any project, but for a specific task that no one else can do for you,” he suggested.
While showing the role of the Eucharist, the father of the diocesan family of Dédougou advised the elected officials of the day to live in unity with the people of God. “The priest makes tangible. He must have a full Eucharistic life and never speak ill of a fellow priest,” he advised them.
Also, he invited the faithful to pray for their priests and to support them so that they can fully fulfill their mission of sanctifying the people of God for whom they are responsible.
The Bishop launched an appeal to the laity to support the new priests especially in the acquisition of means of transport for their mission. "I also appeal to lay people not to give up in their generosity at a time when awareness and experience tell us that you are capable of much in view of the efforts that have been made to help your young priests to acquire means of transport for their pastoral care", he concluded.
The diocesan family of Dédougou, in a festive atmosphere, praised God to the sound of drums accompanied by songs of praise and thanksgiving in honor of the birth of the five priests in the family. The administrative, political and customary, military and paramilitary authorities made the trip to the cathedral of Dédougou for the occasion.
For the exercise of their function of servant of Christ the young priests were sent on mission in the diocese of Dédougou for those diocesan. Father Kisito Sabourou will be at the cathedral parish of Dédougou, Father Nesthor Ouédraogo will be at the spiritual center of Moundasso.
For his ministry, Father Damien Aka will be at the parish of Safané and Father Hypolite Mossé will strengthen the formation team at the Minor Seminary of Tionkuy. Father Célestin Sarambé is sent on a mission to the Democratic Congo to announce the Good News.
The mass which lasted more than four clock hours ended with a series of addresses including those of the Diocesan Council of the Laity, the delegate of African priests, young priests, the provincial superior of the White Fathers and the bishop .
Source: Burkina Information Agency