Fr Xolile Galata ordained for Salesian Southern African Province

By Salesian Regional Superior Vaclav Klement – Salesian Father Xolile Galata was ordained by Bishop Victor Hlolo Phalana of Kerksdorp on May 27 in Viljoenskroon, Kgabareng Secondary School Hall in the presence of 30 priests and 500 faithful. 

On the eve of the ordination, the Salesian Youth Movement (SYM) organised a prayer vigil in Bosco Youth Centre in Walkerville, Johannesburg, with a participation of 80 young people from all 3 AFM countries, coordinated by the Youth Ministry Delegate, Fr. Lingoane Tlaile and his team.

The concelebrating priests from Kroonstad and Kerksdorp dioceses and Salesians of Don Bosco witnessed a dynamic joyful celebration prepared for a long time by the local parishioners of St Paul at Ramulotsi and St Daniel.

The presence of 80 SYM members from Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa accompanied by their Salesians Brothers and Sisters made this historic occasion of the ordination of a religious priest in this diocese more meaningful.

Bishop Phalana in his homily invited the faithful to sustain with prayers their first religious priests as a missionary, one who underwent his initial formation for last 10 years in South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania and Kenya. In his ministry, Fr Galata will be sent by obedience around the three countries of the Southern African conference, making up the AFM province of Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa.

The celebration was followed by a family-like meal offered by the generous parish community of St Paul in Rammulotsi, where Fr Xolile was an altar server and where he nourished his faith and seeds of his religious and priestly vocation.

On the following day, Fr Galata presided over his first thanksgiving Mass at 11:00 Mass in his home parish of St Paul, with a Pentecost-like atmosphere. The Eucharist participated by vibrant songs in Sesotho, with a vibrant homily by Fr Tumelo Pone SDB. The Mass was concelebrated with five Salesian priest and three priests of Kroonstad diocese. Among the highlights of the celebration were various gifts offered by each of the 20 Small Christians Communities of the parish.

“The ordination and thanksgiving Mass were celebrated in a vocation key, challenging the young people, in the words of Don Bosco, founder of the Salesians: ‘Give your heart completely to Jesus.’ Indeed the only present Salesian novice of Southern Africa has roots in this parish, since he was an altar server, guided by today Fr Xolile,” said Salesian regional superior Fr Vaclav Klement.