ORDAINED TO BE A SERVANT

Lubengele has a new priest: Fr. Maximilian Kolbe Bwalya

I went to Kabwe for the ordination to the Priesthood of Maximilian Kolbe Bwalya and Brian Mbulubaya, members of the SVD (Society of the Divine Word). Maximilian is from Lubengele in Chililabombwe. As his Parish Priest, I signed his application papers. 

The ordination was a joyful day, a day of praise, thanksgiving and renewed commitment to the service of the Word of God, the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am very happy for Lubengele Parish, which has given to the Church three of its young people as missionaries: Fr. Peter Makasa, in Nigeria; Fr. Christian Mulenga, in Rwanda and now Fr, Maximilian Kolbe Bwalya, who is going to be sent to Paraguay, in South America. They showed generosity, commitment and spirit of service. 

To become a priest is not to acquire a status and a position of power; instead, it is the acceptance of Jesus’ call and of his mission: to be witnesses of his presence and announcers of his Good News of peace and salvation.

In the evening before the ordination, they made their profession of faith, accompanied by traditional symbols and songs that expressed the community’s acceptance of their willingness to serve and at the same time, the community’s guidance and wisdom for this attitude of service.

The candles given to them signify God’s gift and Christ’s call. He is the light of the world, and he calls us to be light of the world. After the candles, they were given an axe and a hoe, which are symbols of service, responsibility and commitment. The community considers them to be mature adults, ready to take care of themselves and able to serve the community (and the Church). 

In the past, the axe and the hoe were essential tools, found in all households. With a hoe and an axe, one clears a patch in the forest, tills the land and builds the family house. With them, one is able to provide enough food for the family, having always a surplus to share with the relatives, the guests or simply the passers by. A man who is afraid of the hoe and the axe is afraid of work, and he will be despised by all members of the community. He is not a real man! The symbolic giving of these tools inculcates a spirit of service and responsibility. As priests, they must be ready for hard work and they live among the people as servants.