HUAMBO (Angola): July 30,
2014 --No ordination is ordinary, we know that. All
are special, but the ordination of Fr Pedro Sachitula in his
home town in Angola is very special - Pedro is the first
missionary from Angola and has already spent several years in
PNG-SI where he will shortly return. He completed his
theological studies at Ratisbonne, Jerusalem. His ordination
is a moving story, and it was wonderful that Fr Alfred
Maravilla, already in Africa preaching retreats, and a
long-time missionary himself in PNG-SI, was able to be there
for the occasion and write it up. Let's not overlook the diaconate ordination of
Joseph Pham Tran Phi Lam, Vietnamese missionary in Angola and
Angolan Manuel Cabanje Lucas, either.
You will have noticed that this is
the third in a series of articles that are focused outside of
our Region but with obvious connections to it. That has
been deliberate and also fortuitous (meaning as the info comes
in): helps us look outwards and strengthen what we do within.
The whole Province of Angola, spearheaded by Fr Victor
Sequiera, the newly appointed Provincial, did not spare human
and material resources for the ordination of the first Angolan
missionary, Fr Pedro Sachitula. Last July 26 the
ordination took place in Huambo, a city without a Salesian
presence but which has given the Congregation numerous
vocations. Pedro is a missionary in Papua New Guinea where he
was sent as a practical trainee in 2007. He did his
theological studies in Jerusalem at Ratisbonne. Together with
Pedro another missionary was also ordained to the Diaconate:
Joseph Pham Tran Phi Lam, Vietnamese missionary in Angola and
Angolan Manuel Cabanje Lucas. In was indeed a sort of EAO
ordination in Angola!
Although Huambo is 600 kms from the nearest Salesian house,
all the houses of the Province were represented by Salesians
and students. All the post novices, prenovices and aspirants
(the novitiate is in Mozambique) were all present together
with a large number of FMA, Salesian Cooperators and other
members of the Salesian Family. Fr Guillermo Basañes,
Councillor for the Missions and former Provincial of Angola,
sent Fr Alfred Maravilla to represent him for the occasion. Fr
Alfred, a long time missionary in Papua New Guinea and now
working in the Missions Department, was in Angola for
missionary animation. The diocesan seminaries and religious
houses opened their doors to lodge such a large contingent of
the Salesian Family. Obviously, such a joyful occasion became
another vocation promotion for the whole Salesian family.
The next day, June 27, large number of Salesians joined Fr
Pedro for his first Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish
in Katchiungo, 60 kms from Huambo. The whole parish community
joined Fr Pedro and his family to thank God for the gift of
priesthood. He joins the roster of parishioners who has been
ordained to the priesthood. A most touching moment was after
communion when Fr Pedro thank the priest who baptized him, the
sister who catechized him and most especially his mother:
“after the recent death of my beloved brother Joao, how I wish
could stay near you. But I have to leave and respond to the
call of God who sends me as his missionary. But I assure you,
dear mother, that I will be even closer to you through my
prayers. I will be far from you. But you will not be alone.
The whole parish community will be there around!”
