Thousands Gather for Closing of Year of Reverence and Priestly Ordination in Mendi Diocese

Mendi, Southern Highlands Province – 7 June 2026

Thousands of Catholics from across the Eastern, Western, and Central Deaneries of the Diocese of Mendi gathered at Kumin on Sunday, 7 June, for the culmination of a three-day celebration marking the Closing of the Year of Reverence and the Priestly Ordination of Deacon Martin Peter.

Catholic Faithful at Mendi Diocese during the Corpus Christi Procession

The final day of the celebration began in the early hours of the morning with a Corpus Christi procession at 7:00 a.m., as the faithful publicly witnessed to their faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. The procession set the tone for a day centered on prayer, reverence, and thanksgiving, bringing together clergy, religious, and lay faithful from across the diocese.

The celebrations reached their high point with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Donald Lippert, during which Deacon Martin Peter was ordained to the priesthood. The Mass also marked the official closing of the Diocese's Year of Reverence, a pastoral initiative aimed at deepening awareness of God's presence and fostering greater devotion to the Eucharist and the sacred liturgy.

His Excellency Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap carrying the Monstrance during the Corpus Christi procession

In his homily, Bishop Lippert reflected on the importance of maintaining reverence for God amid the many distractions of modern life. He reminded the faithful that while numerous influences seek to draw people away from their relationship with God, Christians are called to remain steadfast in their faith and devotion.

The Bishop emphasized that every person is created by God and belongs to Him. He encouraged the congregation to remember that reverence for God is rooted in the very dignity and purpose for which human beings were created. This reverence, he said, should be evident not only during moments of worship but also in the way believers live their daily lives.

Addressing Deacon Martin Peter directly, Bishop Lippert spoke of the sacred responsibility that accompanies the priesthood. He reminded the ordinand that priestly ministry is a vocation of self-giving love, modeled on the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Drawing inspiration from Christ's sacrifice on the Cross, the Bishop encouraged him to be prepared to dedicate his life completely to the service of God's people. He noted that the mission of a priest is to lead people closer to God and to accompany them on their journey towards salvation.

“To become a priest is to dedicate your life entirely to God and to His Church,” the Bishop stressed, urging the newly ordained priest to serve with humility, faithfulness, and generosity.

His Excellency Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap lays his hands on Deacon Martin Peter during the sacrament of the Holy Orders

The ordination was received with great joy by the faithful gathered at Kumin, many of whom had travelled long distances from different parts of the diocese to witness the historic occasion. The celebration was marked by prayer, singing, and a profound sense of thanksgiving as the Diocese of Mendi welcomed a new priest into its presbyterate.

As the Year of Reverence formally came to an end, the faithful were encouraged to carry forward its message by deepening their relationship with Christ and fostering a spirit of reverence in their homes, communities, and parish life.

The gathering at Kumin was not only a celebration of priestly vocation but also a powerful reminder that reverence for God remains at the heart of Christian discipleship and the life of the Church.