Worcester, Massachussetts (USA), Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Assumption College. The time is 10 AM. The joy is tangible and contagious. Assumptionists, friends, and members of the College community have gathered. They have all come to be of support to Br. Bernard Musondoli, who will be ordained a priest this day by the imposition of hands of Most Reverend Robert McManus, bishop of the Diocese of Worcester.

Br. Bernard, a native of the Congo (Kinshasa), has been in Worcester since June to undertake a program of studies in computer science. His seminary training as an Assumptionist took place in the Congo and in Kenya but he could not be ordained a priest as planned in his homeland because the United States government required him to enter the USA earlier than expected!

The ordination ceremony was certainly rich in color. In addition to his American brothers and newly acquired friends and colleagues, the African community showed up in significant numbers. A mixed chorale was composed of Assumption College students and members of the African community of Worcester, where, since his arrival, Br. Bernard had helped out. Was not the great diversity of races, languages, and nationalities present in the congregation itself a sign of the Kingdom, as we are wont to say at the Assumption? There was great joy this day --- the joy on the sequela Christi, the joy of being together, the joy of being brothers and sisters.

After the Mass, a reception was held in the spacious atrium of the Testa Science Center, extremely well-prepared by the College’s dining services. Clearly no one felt in a hurry to leave and everyone seemed to enjoy the time together. I was reminded of Ps. 133: “Oh, how good and how pleasant it is, where brothers (and sisters) dwell together as one.”

Yes, we pray that Fr. Bernard may have a fruitful ministry. He will remain at Emmanuel House on the College campus. Being a student, he did not have much time to enjoy the celebration of his ordination. In fact, the day after his ordination he had school-work he had to submit to one of his professors. All for the Kingdom, the reason for our very being.

Fr. Salvator Musande, A.A.

St. Anne’s, Sturbridge (USA)