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Ordinations, Final Oaths & New Maryknollers

For more than a hundred years a lot of men have walked through Maryknoll’s doors to join a society founded on the compassion of Jesus in reaching out to those who are most in need.

The ordination is one of the most important events in a priest’s life. This is when the bishop and fellow Maryknollers bless him. For a brother, however, it is the final oath that is life-changing for him. This is when he makes a life-long commitment to be in service for the Society.

Following their ordination to priesthood or final oath as brother, they receive their missionary crucifix at the Maryknoll Sending Ceremony. This ceremony presents the new priests and brothers to the world as Maryknoll missioners.

Meet our new priest who has recently joined a long line of missioners who have made the Maryknoll commitment.

John Siyumbu

John Siyumbu was 13 years old when he received the sacrament of confirmation; and first felt the missionary call to go out into the world to share the love of Jesus.  He recalls turning to his mother, and saying in the Swahili language of East Africa: “Mama, nataka kuwa padri (Mom, I want to be a priest). “Let’s wait and see,” said his mother, Eunice Wanga. Years went by and John entered Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya.  There he met the university chaplain, Maryknoll Father Lance Nadeau.

Meeting Father Lance would prove to be an important step on John’s mission journey.  John was passionate about learning new languages and he cared deeply about the well-being of other people.  He was searching for a way to share his faith among different cultures and a new possibility opened up for him when he began to get to know his university chaplain. John said, “The zeal, the passion for service, the desire to serve the people of God that I saw in Father Nadeau is what attracted me to Maryknoll.”  His mother wanted John to stay close to home but he could not deny the call he felt to follow his mission journey and to join Maryknoll to live his lifetime mission to serve the poor and the suffering around the world.

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Maryknoll ordinations through the decades

Ordination officiated by Maryknoll co-founder, Bishop James A. Walsh, M.M.

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers have ordained more than 1,400 priests and given oaths to more than 225 brothers all through the years. That’s quite a number of men who have commited their lives to work in service among the poor and suffering around the world.

Every one of them had different experiences in their lives that made them come to realize that they have a calling to serve God and their fellowman. To choose to become a Maryknoller is even more special. They say goodbye to their families and friends to go to distant lands where the culture and language are different from their own.

To learn more about Maryknoll’s history visit Maryknoll Mission Archive website.

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.

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