“This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad” (Psalm 118;24). It pleased the Triune God through the Holy Church to gift the family of Schoenstatt two brand new priests on this Covenant of Love day, 18th of May, 2025, the fifth Sunday of Easter. The priestly ordination of Reverends Claver Karakura and Janvier Cirhuzi is a providential event that makes this day special and different from all others in the history of the Sion Patris Africae region for the community of Schoenstatt Fathers.
The event started with the celebration of Holy Mass at 10 am at the Mount Zion Gikungu Shrine in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Archbishop of Bujumbura Archdiocese, Monsignor, graced it. Gervais Banshiniyubusa, who was the Ordaining Prelate, the Archbishop Emeritus, Evariste Ngoyagoye, more than 60 priests including the secretary to the Papal Nuncio, the general superior of the Schoenstatt Fathers, Rev. Fr. Alexandre Awi Mello, the Assistant to the Free Communities of the Schoenstatt Fathers, Rev. Fr. Francisco Sobral, and the Delegate Superior of the Victoria Matris Region, Rev. Fr Charles N. Ozioko, a deacon and many dignitaries, protocols and other great personalities who honored our invitation, and the good people of God numbering more than 3.000.
In the beginning, the Delegate Superior of Schoenstatt Fathers, Sion Patris Africae, Rev. Fr Hérmenegilde Coyitungiye welcomed all who had come from far and near to celebrate this special occasion and thanked God and the Mother Thrice Admirable (MTA) for the good works and many blessings received. He also thanked those who have contributed greatly to the upbringing and formation of these candidates for the priesthood and those who have made today a success, inviting all to support and pray for them.
To be a priest is to love as Christ loved
During the homily, the archbishop, Gervais Banshiniyubusa, focused on divine love as expressed in the gospel of the day. The love of God despises the worldly perception of love, which involves self-interest and selfish gain as the root of loving one another.
So, he invited us, through his reflection on Jesus’ injunction that we should cultivate God’s love, devoid of all kinds of selfishness and personal interests, but rather embracing total self-giving even amid persecution and tribulation, to remain faithful in and to God’s love.
He reminded the two candidates for the priesthood that the foundation and essence of their priestly life is the love and ardent zeal to save human souls through the exercise of their priestly ministry and life. He urged them to remain resolute and faithful to their calling, and fulfill their duties diligently and fervently in divine love and priestly joy.
Shared joy
During the reception, there were many joyful celebrations and refreshments, and every guest had something to eat and enjoy themselves. Some of the dignitaries expressed their gratitude, joy, and good wishes for the newly ordained priests and the entire family of Schoenstatt.
Rev. Fr Claver Karakura, on behalf of his brother-priest, expressed their gratitude to God, the Mother Thrice Admirable, Father Joseph Kentenich, and the entire family of Schoenstatt, as well as their biological families, friends, and well-wishers, and all who have contributed to their growth and well-being. They felt joy and a sense of unworthiness, and humbly invited everyone to support and pray for them. There were many other speeches and good wishes over the remarkable events of this day.
