The member of the Holy Spirit Fathers Society of Apostolic Life (ALCP/OSS) encouraged the Deacons-elect to always remain close to the people they serve.
“Be people who go even to the margins and carry the smell of the sheep,” he said, adding that the Deacons’ mission is essential so that “the people of God may not lack shepherds.”
Bishop Mlola reminded the Deacons-elect that being set apart for ministry is an invitation to a deeper conformity to Christ, saying, “When you are set apart for this special rank, you are invited to become more like Christ.”
“May the priesthood of Christ be made manifest in the celebrations you will carry out,” the Tanzanian Catholic Church leader said and went on to underscore the need for sacrificial service, calling on the Deacons-elect to “Give yourselves as an offering.”
He said, “Go and offer the sacrifice of your lives, your time, and give priority to service, which is serving others.”
“Go and be light—not the light of the sun or of a lamp, but let your lives that represent Christ himself shine upon people, so that they may see Christ in your lives and in your service,” Bishop Mlola told the newly ordained Deacons, encouraging them to become become visible witnesses of Christ in their service.
The Bishop further emphasized that “what is essential is to persevere in our discipleship” urging them to always encounter Christ in Scripture, the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, and in the poor, the sick, the imprisoned, and the hungry.
“In these, let us see Jesus and recognize him in what we do each day and in all that we encounter on the journey of life,” he said.
Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.