Ordination to the Order of Deacons
On the morning of July 14, 2018, we gathered together at the Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Sta. Cruz, Manila to witness the diaconal ordination of Rev. Tonny Akena, SSS, Rev. John Muyingo, SSS and Rev. Noman Nasser, SSS. Thanks be to God such ordination has been happening every year these past few years, but we cannot grow used to the manifestations of Christ’s goodness, who constantly assists the Church as he promised, granting vocations to the priesthood. Such event signals enormous hope for the Congregation in the pursuit of its Eucharistic mission not only in the Philippines but also abroad. We believe that the three newly ordained deacons have reached a realization to respond proactively to the demands of the priestly-religious ministry especially in areas to where they will be sent. As Pope Francis has been constantly reminding the servants and ministers of the Church, “You must frequent the peripheries, those urban, those social and those existential.”
The ordination to the diaconate happened as the Church in the Philippines celebrates the Year of the Clergy and Consecrated Persons. The aim of this year’s celebration is the renewal of clergy and consecrated persons so that they become role models and authentic witnesses to Christianity, that is, not putting themselves on pedestals and positions of authority but being examples of humble service to others and witnessing to the life of Jesus with credibility and integrity. Thus, they are to exercise the diaconate with charity and humility, as collaborators of the bishop, superiors, and priests, in the service of the Christian people. By their acceptance, Rev. Tonny, Rev. John, and Rev. Noman manifest their desire to follow in the footsteps of Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, who willed to make himself the servant of all. We pray that they may always fix their gaze upon Him as the supreme model of availability in their ministry.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to increase not only in our Congregation but throughout the world the number of sacred ministers who are well prepared and enthusiastic, in love with our Lord and dedicated entirely to the service of souls. In a word, may he grant us an abundance of holy priests, truly committed to the ministry entrusted to them.
Fr. Alde, sss
NEW SSS BISHOP
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Today (July 25, 2018) the Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Martin Boucar Tine, S.S.S., currently Vicar General of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament as Bishop of Kaolack (Senegal).
Fr. Martin Tine, SSS (Senegal)
Vicar General,
1st General Consultor
*Secretary of the Council
*African Conference
*Accompaniment of the provinces: St. John Baptist, Bl. Isidore Bakanja. Our Lady of Africa and the Region of Cardinal Emile Biayenda.
*Commissions: Formation, CEFO and Eymardian Places
Martin Boucar Tine, S.S.S., was born on 16 September 1966 in Koudiadiène (diocese of Thiès). After attending
the minor seminary of Ngasobil, diocese of Thiès, he began his religious formation at the Sacraments Fathers, Collège
Saint Gabriel in Thiès and Collège Sacré-Cœur in Dakar, at the same time following his philosophical studies at the Center Saint Augustine. He carried out his novitiate in Lonzo, Democratic Republic of Congo, earning a Baccalaureate in Theology at the Theologat Saint Eugène de Mazenod of Kinshasa and then a Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology at the Faculté Catholique of Kinshasa. He made his perpetual vows in Koudiadiène on October 6, 1995. He received his priestly ordination on July 6, 1996.
Since his ordination he has held the following positions: Parish vicar of Saint-Pierre des Baobabs, archdiocese of Dakar (1996-1999); Head of the Eymard Foyer in Dakar-Liberté (1997-1999); Licentiate Studies in Dogmatic Theology in Congo (1999-2001); Director of the InterAfrican Scholasticate Emmaus in Kinshasa (2001-2006); Regional Superior of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in Senegal (2006-2011); President of the Religious Conference in Senegal (2008-2011); Vicar parish of Saint Joseph de Médina in the Archdiocese of Dakar (2010-2011); General Councilor of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, in Rome (2011-2017); Head of the Commission for the formation of the Sacraments in Africa; since 2017, First Counselor and Vicar General of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 25/7/2018)