A New Priest
June 1, 2026
A week dedicated to younger priests, concluding with the ordination of a new priest, Guy Médard Mbondo.
In the diocese of Bangassou, there are 11 parishes (plus two on standby due to the war), a minor seminary, and other activities. There are about thirty priests present in the diocese. For the younger priests, for the second consecutive year, we have prepared three days of study and reflection on the various aspects of ministry, to support and accompany them.
These are important and beautiful moments: they are young, and their enthusiasm also helps other priests to live their vocation with greater commitment.
I returned from Bangui on Tuesday. The flight was very long, with three layovers. I left at 8:00 a.m. and arrived in Bangassou at 2:00 p.m., after stops in Bria, Birao, and Bambari.
The meeting with the young priests, which began on Tuesday, ended on Thursday.
On Saturday, we almost moved to Ouango, a parish on the Mbomou River, where on Sunday the ordination of Guy Médard Mbondo, a young man born right here, took place.
Almost all the priests were present, the nuns of Bangassou, along with the children of the Maman Tongolo Orphanage, who were also taking a short "trip": dressed in their best clothes, with beautiful hats, and the joy of a couple of special days.
On Sunday morning, at 8:30, we began the celebration. It was a beautiful liturgy, rich with the sacrament of the consecration of a new priest, punctuated by songs, prayers, and dances...
We finished Mass at 12, and around 2:00 pm, we were on the riverbank. Here, they prepared a special moment for Father Guy Médard: a beautifully decorated canoe approached. In addition to the rowers, there were two women dancing (it seemed impossible!) to the rhythm of the drums played from the shore. The new priest boarded the canoe for a short ride.
After the canoe ride, it was time for a celebration with the family and numerous guests: it was a great celebration, because a son of the village had become a priest.
Seeing the children, young people, adults, and the elderly approach him to receive one of the first blessings as a priest was a great joy, and a simple moment of profound faith!
June 1, 2026
A week dedicated to younger priests, concluding with the ordination of a new priest, Guy Médard Mbondo.
In the diocese of Bangassou, there are 11 parishes (plus two on standby due to the war), a minor seminary, and other activities. There are about thirty priests present in the diocese. For the younger priests, for the second consecutive year, we have prepared three days of study and reflection on the various aspects of ministry, to support and accompany them.
These are important and beautiful moments: they are young, and their enthusiasm also helps other priests to live their vocation with greater commitment.
I returned from Bangui on Tuesday. The flight was very long, with three layovers. I left at 8:00 a.m. and arrived in Bangassou at 2:00 p.m., after stops in Bria, Birao, and Bambari.
The meeting with the young priests, which began on Tuesday, ended on Thursday.
On Saturday, we almost moved to Ouango, a parish on the Mbomou River, where on Sunday the ordination of Guy Médard Mbondo, a young man born right here, took place.
Almost all the priests were present, the nuns of Bangassou, along with the children of the Maman Tongolo Orphanage, who were also taking a short "trip": dressed in their best clothes, with beautiful hats, and the joy of a couple of special days.
On Sunday morning, at 8:30, we began the celebration. It was a beautiful liturgy, rich with the sacrament of the consecration of a new priest, punctuated by songs, prayers, and dances...
We finished Mass at 12, and around 2:00 pm, we were on the riverbank. Here, they prepared a special moment for Father Guy Médard: a beautifully decorated canoe approached. In addition to the rowers, there were two women dancing (it seemed impossible!) to the rhythm of the drums played from the shore. The new priest boarded the canoe for a short ride.
After the canoe ride, it was time for a celebration with the family and numerous guests: it was a great celebration, because a son of the village had become a priest.
Seeing the children, young people, adults, and the elderly approach him to receive one of the first blessings as a priest was a great joy, and a simple moment of profound faith!
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| i sacerdoti più giovani in formazione Les pretres jeunes en formation los sacerdotes más jóvenes en formación |
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| I bambini del Centro orfani in gita... Les enfants de l'Orphélinat en sortie Los niños del orfanato en una excursión... |
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| don Guy Médard con la mamma e uno zio L'abbé Guy Médard avec ses parents El padre Guy Médard con su madre y un tío. |
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| La processione del Vangelo La procéssion avec l'Evangile La procesión del Evangelio |
