“Do not let anything steal your time for personal reflection and the spirit of prayer. Do not place anything – absolutely nothing – before Christ,” said Bishop Martins to New Priests and Deacons.
Newsroom (26/02/2025 Gaudium Press) On February 15, 2025, the Archdiocese of Huambo in Angola celebrated the ordination of four priests and four deacons. Archbishop Zeferino Zeca Martins emphasized the importance of a robust spiritual life for the clergy during the ceremony at Our Lady of Fátima Parish where the new Priests and Deacons were ordained.
Prioritizing Friendship with God
Archbishop Zeca urged the newly ordained to prioritize their friendship with God through prayer. He highlighted the necessity of cultivating prayer and spiritual life with zeal, regardless of circumstances.
Learning from Predecessors
Reflecting on the dedication of past clergy, the Archbishop shared that predecessors would rise at four o’clock in the morning to pray, understanding the demanding nature of pastoral activities.
Avoiding Distractions
He cautioned against distractions, advising the clergy to ensure that nothing steals their time for personal reflection and prayer.
Embracing True Spirituality
The Archbishop emphasized that every priest’s life should be imbued with prayer and true spirituality, enabling them to nourish and guide those seeking God.
Encouraging Humility and Trust
He encouraged candidates for priesthood and diaconate to embrace their missionary vocation with humility and trust, walking confidently to present others to Christ the Savior.
The Importance of Love in Ministry
Addressing the candidates directly, Archbishop Zeca stressed the importance of loving people selflessly, allowing their hearts to burn with passion for others in the name of Jesus Christ.
Joy in Ministry
He concluded by urging the clergy to be joyful in their imminent priestly and diaconal ministry, noting that their joy would inspire more vocations for Christ in the archdiocese.
The newly ordained priests are Quintino Samacaca, a priest of the Congregation of the Poor Servants of Divine Providence (PSDP), Hilário Sepope Tchitumba, Silva Bento Nunda, and Vitorino Camenhe Dumbo, all from the Archdiocese of Huambo.
The seminarians Amado de Jesus Ukelo, Florentino Kanequetela, Horácio Zeferino Telengeda, and Eugênio Sonehã Epomba were ordained deacons.
Compiled by Donna Smolders
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