Fr Suoane Julius Letsoela OMI Celebrates a Decade of Priesthood

Fr Suoane Julius Letsoela OMI 10th Anniversary of ordination

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – Fr Suoane Julius Letsoela OMI recently marked 10 years since his ordination as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate Priest in Lesotho. Known for his passion for proper liturgy, the Latin rite, and his support for Catholic media, Fr Letsoela is also celebrated for his great sense of humour and friendly demeanour. He’s particularly cherished by his congregants at the Oblate House Chapel, where he serves as secretary to the Provincial of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Lesotho.

His family, along with concelebrating confreres Fr Clement Ntlou OMI, Fr Benedict Thaba, and Fr Mosoeu of the diocese of Leribe, celebrated this significant milestone with a Holy Mass at Bela Bela Ha Letsoela, Fr Letsoela’s home, on May 17, 2025.

During the celebration, it was revealed that Fr Letsoela’s path to the priesthood was not straightforward. Due to financial difficulties, he couldn’t immediately attend high school after primary education. He worked in the taxi industry and as a bricklayer, teaching his peers valuable skills. Many homes in Bela Bela are said to be built with bricks he produced. Years later, he returned to Holy Names High School, where he was admitted despite being older than his classmates. He persevered through initial academic challenges, including mathematics fractions, which inspired him to excel.

Fr Letsoela shared that he initially had no desire to be a Catholic priest, even though he joined the Sacred Heart Sodality and Christian Life Community Sodality in his youth. He even avoided Fr Matooane, who tried to recruit them for the Oblates. His inspiration to join the OMI congregation came later while attending supplementary classes in Maseru. After his ordination, the then Oblates Provincial, Fr Anthony Lisema Matsoso OMI, sent him to Rome to study liturgy, a period he admits was challenging.

The Thanksgiving Mass was attended by priests, religious congregations, and lay faithful, especially the Oblate House Chapel congregation. Fr Letsoela expressed gratitude to everyone who supported him on his journey.

“Priesthood is the masterpiece of Jesus’ love to humanity,” and we extend our best wishes to Fr Letsoela in his continued ministry in the vineyard of the Lord.