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Mozambique – Perpetual vows and diaconate of Celso Samuel and Gil Fernando, in Tete
Thursday, August 28, 2025
Two young Mozambican scholastics from the Comboni Province of Nampula, Celso Samuel Pedro and Gil Fernando, made their perpetual vows on Saturday, 23rd August, at the Comboni Parish of the Ugandan Martyrs in Matundo, Diocese of Tete. Presiding at the Eucharist, Provincial Superior Fr. José Joaquim Luis Pedro emphasised the significance of the step they were taking: “It is the total gift of your life, which today you place in God’s hands. Let him always be the one to guide the path of your existence.”
On the following day, Sunday 24th, both men were ordained deacons by Bishop Diamantino Antunes of Tete. During the same celebration, the bishop also blessed the new parish office and the ‘Via Fátima’, a path leading to the Marian grotto recently inaugurated within the parish grounds.
Drawing on the Gospel of the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Bishop Diamantino urged the new deacons and all present to enter the Kingdom through the narrow door, namely “the door of your service and of your self-giving to God and to your brothers and sisters.”
The two days of celebration brought together many Comboni missionaries, priests, religious sisters, and hundreds of faithful from Matundo, Nampula, Beira, and Muxúnguè. The liturgies were made particularly festive by the traditional songs and dances of the Nyungwe people, who live in the province of Tete.
At the end of the ordination, Fr. José Joaquim announced the new assignments: Celso Samuel will join the Comboni community in Muxúnguè, in the Archdiocese of Beira, while Gil Fernando will return to the Comboni community in Ribáuè, Archdiocese of Nampula, to continue serving the Church in Mozambique with renewed missionary zeal.
The parish concluded the celebration with a fraternal meal shared by all.
Father Sérgio Vilanculo, mccj