Priests Forever: Stigmatine Fathers Ordain Two New Ecclesiastics

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · March 27, 2023

Stigmatine Brothers Frederick Kavusa Kavao and Luka Sitima ordained by Archbishop Dabula Mpako of Pretoria

Rainy weather and heavy clouds failed to dampen the spirit of a joyous ordination of two Stigmatine Fathers priests in Pretoria. Brother Frederick Kavusa Kavao CSS and Brother Luka Sitima CSS were consecrated to the priesthood by the Archbishop of Pretoria Anthony Dabula Mpako at the Bertoni Centre in Pretoria North.

Alongside the archbishop, Bishop John Selemela (auxiliary-bishop of Pretoria), Fr Anthony Machaka (Stigmatine Fathers’ Provincial-Superior) and over twenty priests ushered the pair into their canonicate.

Over four hundred guests attended the occasion at the Bertoni Centre to celebrate with the new priests. Among them were attendants from as far afield as Botswana, Malawi, the DRC and Tanzania. Fr Kavao is from DR Congo. Fr Sitima is from Malawi. The two have travelled the road to their priesthood together. They both made their First Profession in September 2018 at the Stigmatine Fathers Novitiate House in Botswana, and had their diaconate ordination at the St Joseph Bakhita Church in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in May 2022.

The Stigmatine Fathers, founded in 1816 in Verona, in Italy by St Gaspar Bertoni, have a presence in the Sub-Saharan African countries of Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, SA and Lesotho. The Mass Service was broadcast live on the internet, particularly for those in the above-mentioned countries who could not physically attend the ordination.

In his homily, Archbishop Mpako emphasised that with their ordination, the two new priests were called to become a personification of the deliverance of the Good News to their fellow man.

“Your mission is to proclaim the One who has anointed you with the task of becoming heralds of the Good News amongst your brothers and sisters. Become examples of true stewardship for the Church, and for all that you encounter in your apostolate, wherever it will take you, and whenever you are called to do so,” he said.

The musically sharp service proceeded with the rites of ordination, administered by the archbishop. At the end of the Mass, several individuals came forward to express their gratitude.

Representing both new priests, newly-ordained Fr Kavao thanked his own and the Sitima families for nourishing their calling to the priesthood. He also thanked each and every individual, church and organisation who had played a part in their journey. He made a special thank you to the Stigmatine Fathers for being the launchpad on the journey that they had both travelled to make the day a reality.

Fr Anthony Machaka, the Stigmatine Fathers’ provincial-superior of the Vice-Province of the Most Holy Redeemer, thanked all who had made the effort to be present on the day, more especially those who had travelled from different countries. In conclusion, Archbishop Mpako presented the two new priests with their certificates of ordination.

A Thanksgiving Mass will be held for Fr Kavao on May 28 at the St Francois Carraciolo Church in Goma-Kivu, in DR Congo. Fr Sitima will have his Thanksgiving Mass on May 14 at the Sacred Heart Church in Ulongwe, Malawi.