The Southern Africa Province (SAP) of the Society of Jesus is celebrating the joyful ordination of Tafumanei Chikanya SJ to the diaconate, a ceremony held on Valentine’s Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Kenya.
The ordination, marked by prayer, gratitude, and a spirit of mission, drew Jesuits, family members, parishioners, and friends who gathered to witness this important milestone in Chikanya’s journey of service in the Church.
In his message following the ordination, Chikanya expressed deep gratitude to God for the gift of vocation and thanked the Southern Africa Province for its continued support and formation. The SAP leadership also extended warm congratulations, emphasizing that the new deacon’s ministry arrives at a time when the Church continues to call for compassionate service, attentive listening, and a renewed commitment to faith.
Held on a day globally associated with love, the Valentine’s Day ordination highlighted the call to a deeper, self-giving love embodied in diaconal ministry, service to the Word, the altar, and the people of God.
The Southern Africa Province invites the faithful to continue praying for Deacon Tafumanei Chikanya SJ as he steps into this new chapter of ministry within the Society of Jesus and the wider Church.
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