A new deacon for the Church in Nuer land

The tropical cloudburst. Bishop Damiano arrived in Nyal five days before the celebration and was accompanied by Fr. Louis Okot Ochermoi, the provincial superior of the Comboni Missionaries in South Sudan, and two other confreres (Fr. Roy Carlos and Fr. Stefano Zuin) who joined in the festivities. Their trip took them by plane from Juba to Rumbek and from there they had an airlift by the WFP – UN emergency helicopter service to Nyal.

When they descended from the aircraft, an uncommon out of season rain befell upon them all, and this was immediately interpreted as a sign of God’s blessings.

Marching entourages. One of the highlights of the celebrations was the marching groups of choirs who accompanied the bishop and his companions in his visit to the chapel of Doung, on Sunday 29 of April.

Eucharistic joyfulness. Apart from the solemn entrance, the rite of ordination and the ever-present African dancing, Nuer people made a real difference with their full participation. A Eucharist lasting four hours was a just enough time for the community to show all its love and affection to Mario Pellegrino. The longest moments were the collection of the personal offerings of the gifts and the greeting by the newly ordained deacon.

Visit to Late Bishop Mazzolari’s grave. On their way back to Juba, the visitors stopped to pay their respects to late Bishop Mazzolari. They went to visit his mortal remains which repose inside of the Holy Family Cathedral. Bishop Caesar Mazzolari was a great support for the local community during the years of the war, especially for his pastoral care and concern for the welfare of the South Sudanese, drawing great attention to the efforts of the Catholics for peace and drawing respect from the international community.