By Godwin Utuedoye,
VATICAN CITY, ROME: It was a historic moment for the faithful of the Catholic diocese of Warri as one of their own, Rev. FranciscoMary Aghogho Isiorhovoja among others was ordained to the clerical office of a deacon on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at the Basilica of St. Peter, in the Vatican City by His Eminence Beniamino Cardinal Stella, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.
Reverend FrancuscoMary Aghogho Isiorhovoja, after his diaconate ordination
With words of encouragement and a few more on what to expect, His Eminence, Beniamino Cardinal Stella ordained eleven young men to the order of Diaconate among whom were Dcn. Andre pierre, Haitti, Dcn. Anslem Agba, Nigeria, Dcn. Carlos Duran, Ecuador, Dcn. Chinader Andre, Haitti, Dcn. Douglas Crespin, El Salvador, Dcn. FranciscoMary Isiorhovoja (Warri Diocese, Nigeria), Dcn. Jebin Sesayyan, India, Dcn. Kiran Markose, India, Dcn.Ladislaus Evatist Milagiro, Tanzania, Dcn. Peter Wangwe, Tanzania and Dcn. Silas Ade, Nigeria.
Priests of Warri Diocese in Group Photograph with the newly ordained deacon
The ordination Mass which began at about 8:30 am, had over fifty priests, deacons from different nationalities concelebrating with the Cardinal. Also present to represent Warri diocese were Rev. Fr. John Ederaine who is currently on study in Rome, Rev. Frs. Paul Obi, Jude Igho, Jesuovie Ogagavwodia and Andrew Orogun.
Explaining the role of an ordained clergy during the rite of ordination, the 11 new deacons also promised to hold fast to the mystery of faith and to proclaim in word and deed, the Faith according to the gospel and teachings of the Church with the help of God, and to as well conform their lives to the example of Christ.
With the laying on of hands by the ordaining prelate and the prayers of ordination, the newly ordained deacons were dedicated to the service of God and His people at the altar of God.
It could be recalled that Rev. FranciscoMary Aghogho Isiorhovoja started his priestly formation at the Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan in Oyo State until he was sent to Rome in continuation of his priestly formation by his local bishop, Most Rev. John Oke’Oghene Afareha.
As we pray for Reverend FranciscoMary Aghogho Isiorhovoja, we also congratulate him alongside other ordained deacons for God to see them through their priestly formation and studies at the Pontifical International College, Maria Mater Ecclesiae, Rome.