Two Salesians Ordained Priests on the Feast of the Transfiguration: An African and a Papua New Guinean – A Sign of the New Missionary Face of the Church

PORT MORESBY: In a deeply moving celebration of faith, culture and mission, Port Moresby Archdiocesan Shrine of Mary Help of Christians was filled on Thursday 6th August at 3:00 PM, Feast of the Transfiguration, for the Presbyteral Ordination of Rev. Deacon Konkani Attisso Joël SDB and Rev. Deacon Anderson Pop Ehava SDB.

The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by His Lordship Bishop Pedro Baquero Jr. SDB, Bishop of Kerema, and concelebrated by a large number of Salesian, missionaries and diocesan priests, with the presence of religious sisters, seminarians, and faithful from across the Archdiocese of Port Moresby.

His Lordship Bishop Pedro Baquero Jr. SDB, Bishop of Kerema, the newly ordained Fr. Pio Ehava, a Papua New Guinean and Fr. Attisso Joël, who comes from Togo, Africa

The ordination brought together two continents in one Salesian vocation – Fr. Attisso Joël, who comes from Togo, Africa, and Fr. Pio Ehava, a Papua New Guinean. It was a powerful image of what Bishop Baquero described as “a moment of Grace and Blessing for our ordinands, but also a Grace and Blessing for our Salesian Family, and a Grace and Blessing for the Church in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.”

A Gift to Become a Gift

In his homily, Bishop Baquero reflected on the Transfiguration as the moment when Jesus Christ is revealed as the BRIDGE, the TRANSITION, the VITAL LINK between the Old and New Covenant, prefiguring the Resurrection and confirming both His Divinity and Humanity.

Reflecting on the vision of the Son of Man in Daniel, the witness of Peter on the mountain, and the Gospel account of Tabor, the Bishop said the Transfiguration was a foretaste of glory given to strengthen the Apostles for Calvary.

“Jesus says to them, ‘Rise, and do not be afraid.’ He calls them to go down with him. Let this Tabor experience give us courage to face Calvary. Every time we partake of the Eucharist we feel good and want to remain, but the Mass concludes with ‘Go!’ Encountering Christ is not only in a Tabor experience but in going down the valley, meeting Jesus in our daily encounters.”

(Ordinands) lie face down in total prostration during the singing of the Litany of the Saints

Turning to the ordinands, Bishop Baquero said:

“In a few moments you will receive a precious Gift from God – the Priesthood! It is a personal Gift for you. But it is a Gift not to be taken as your own personal property. By receiving this Gift, you become immediately a Gift of God to His people. When a person encounters a priest, the very first expectation is that he is a Man of God – Wokman bilong God. To be a Man of God means to be Authentic in your life.”

He explained authenticity as living and acting in the Name of God, incarnating the Love of Christ, and embracing a spirituality of the Cross that leads only to Him.

He exhorted them as Salesian priests: “Love Don Bosco, deepen your knowledge of Don Bosco, live out his Charism. Love and respect your confreres. Even as priests, be open to your Rector and Superior – Rendi Conto does not stop at your ordination.”

An African and a Papua New Guinean – The New Face of Mission

The ordination was marked by a special missionary dimension. Fr. Attisso Joël, originally from Togo, Africa, was ordained far from his homeland. While his parents could not make it to Papua New Guinea for his priestly ordination, he was warmly surrounded and supported by his Salesian family, the faithful, and the growing community of African priests in PNG.

Their presence, noted during the celebration, is slowly becoming a visible sign of the new missionaries from the South – from Africa and Asia – where vocations are flourishing today, now coming to serve in mission territories that were once established and served by missionaries from the West.

While many congregations experience a decline in vocations, the celebration was a testimony that there are still those who feel called to the priesthood today, and they are forming the new breed of missionaries for the Church.

“Correct us and remind us to live the life of priesthood if we err." the newly ordained Fr. Pio Ehava

“Correct us and pray for us”

Fr. Pio Ehava, speaking on behalf of his confrere, gave the vote of thanks at the end of the Mass. With humility and emotion, he thanked all who accompanied them during their long years of formation to the priesthood – their families, formators, professors, benefactors, and the faithful.

“Correct us and remind us to live the life of priesthood if we err. We ask for prayers, that we may never stay away from the love of Christ,” said Fr. Pio.

“Stay with us, Lord”

The two priests chose as their ordination motto the words “Stay with us, Lord” – taken from the invitation of the two disciples of Emmaus to Jesus in Luke 24:29. Bishop Baquero prayed that this theme may sustain and inspire them, “that as you embrace more deeply your priestly life, it may lead you to witness that BEING with the Lord is the heart and reason why we are DOING something for the Lord.”

The Provincial Superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, Fr. Gregorio Bicomong Jr. SDB, in his final remarks, thanked the families of both ordinandi for raising two priests for the altar and for generously offering them to the Church.

“Today is a moment of grace. A grace and blessings for the Salesians, and for the Church in PNG and Solomon Islands,” Fr. Greg said.

The new priests then gave their first priestly blessing to the congregation, which was received with great joy and applause.

Ordination rite: Bishop Pedro Baquero Jr. SDB laying hands on the ordinand Deacon Attisso Joël

The Catholic Bishops Conference rejoices with the Salesian Family and entrusts Fr. Joël Attisso and Fr. Pio Ehava to Mary Help of Christians, that they may remain faithful to the Lord who has called them to stay with Him and to serve His people.

Ad Multos Annos!