This past weekend, on two continents an ocean apart, three new Viatorians priests were ordained all on the same day – two in Ivory Coast and one in Colombia, a foundation of our province.
Archbishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa lays his hands on Fr. Fr Koyé François and Fr Maurice Kouadio.
Fr. Nestor Fils-Aimé, CSV, Superior General, recognized these areas of growth in vocations, after he was installed this summer and selected religious from Ivory Coast and Colombia to be on his General Council. “The emergence of these communities announces a promising future,” Fr. Fils-Aimé said.
At the ordination in Ivory Coast, Fr. Koyé François, CSV, and Fr. Maurice Kouadio, CSV, were ordained by Archbishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa of Bouaké. Their ordination took place in the Chapel of the College of St. Viator in Bouaké, and drew many of the Viatorians ministering in Ivory Coast to attend.
Newly ordained priests Fr. Koyé and Fr. Maurice rejoice.
Fr. Carlos Orduna, CSV, who is a native of Spain but has been teaching at the College in Bouaké for many years shared the happy news with the international Viatorian Community: “We have two new priests in Ivory Coast. Congratulations and fruitful ministry!”
On the very same day, some 4,500 miles away, another Viatorian priest was ordained: Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque, CSV. Archbishop Gabriel Angel Villa Vahos of Tunja ordained Fr. Juan Carlos at the Metropolitan Cathedral Basilica of Santiago in Tunja, Colombia, with Fr. Mark Francis, CSV, Provincial, concelebrating Mass.
Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque during the ordination
More than one dozen Viatorians processed into the historic cathedral for the ordination. Cathedral Basilica of Santiago is located on the eastern side of the Plaza de Bolívar, in the historic center of the city of Tunja. Its construction dates to the 16th century.
Fr. Juan Carlos professed first vows in 2013 and began his ministry as a teacher at Colegio San Viator.
In 2016, he was one three Viatorians to open a second school in Colombia, Colegio San Viator in Tunja. He worked there as a teacher, pastoral coordinator, and dean of students. More recently, Fr. Juan Carlos has served at San Viator Parish in Bogotá, with Fr. Frank Enciso, CSV, Pastor, and Fr. Felipe Montes, CSV. Both of these confreres were on hand for his ordination.
Fr. Juan Carlos Ubaque offers thanks after the ordination.
In all, four Viatorian priests have been ordained this year, including Fr. John Eustice, CSV, who was ordained in June in Las Vegas and now directs the Campus Ministry program at Saint Viator High School.
Congratulations to our newly ordained priests. May we continue to pray for vocations to religious life and priesthood and be the voice of invitation to discerners.