Nassau has new deacon

BAHAMAS

“Joyful”—that’s how the Archdiocese of Nassau’s newly ordained Deacon, Vincent Mungai, described his emotions following his Ordination to the Diaconate on January 28.

Deacon Mungai was ordained by Archbishop Patrick Pinder of Nassau at St Francis Cathedral on the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Clergy, religious, and hundreds of well-wishers from New Providence—including Deacon Mungai’s Holy Family Church and Aquinas College family—packed the Cathedral to witness the occasion. Meanwhile, his family and friends in Kenya joined via livestream at 3 a.m. local time.

The newly ordained deacon expressed deep joy and gratitude following his ordination. One of the most moving moments of the Mass for him was the Litany of the Saints.

“As it was sung, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and joy,” he shared. The Kenyan native also expressed his humility and appreciation for the support and warm welcome from Archbishop Pinder and the Bahamian community.

In delivering the homily, Archbishop Pinder reminded the deacon that since he has presented himself for the order of the diaconate of his own free choice, he must be like those chosen by the apostles for the ministry of charity.

“That is to say a man of good reputation, full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit. Note that you would exercise your ministry in the celibate state and celibacy is both a sign of pastoral charity … as well as a source of spiritual fruitfulness in the world,” Archbishop Pinder said.

He urged the deacon to remain firmly planted and grounded in faith and “show yourself without blemish and beyond reproach before God and others as is proper for a minister of Christ….”

The Archbishop further warned Deacon Mungai to not allow himself to be turned away from the hope of the Gospel which he must not only hear but also serve.