Saturday, 28 October 2017
The Comboni Missionaries are excited to welcome Fr. Jemboy Salarde Caspis to the Comboni Family. He was ordained to the Priesthood on Friday, October 27, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Lagao, General Santos City, Philippines.
His Excellency Dinualdo D. Gutierrez, Bishop of Marbel ordained Fr. Jemboy. About thirty priests from various religious congregations and the diocese concelebrated in this joyful event. Many people gathered for this occasion, creating a beautiful atmosphere of a family excited to see one of their own embrace the priesthood for missionary service of the Church.
For the Delegation of Asia, Fr. Jemboy’s ordination is a much welcomed gift which, as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our Institute, and refresh our missionary enthusiasm to serve in these Asian lands and also to share with other churches, particularly in Africa.
Fr. Jemboy has now been assigned to the Province of Kenya. He completed his Theological studies in Nairobi, after which, he dedicated a year of missionary service in Kacheliba, also in Kenya, where he was ordained Deacon on April 8, 2017.
In the afternoon, the same crowd gathered at the Chapel dedicated to San Roque, much nearer to his own family house, to join Fr. Jemboy on his thanksgiving Eucharist. This was an opportunity for all his relatives, friends, neighbors and visitors who came from afar to render praise to God for the gift of Jemboy’s vocation. Some proudly shared their stories of seeing Jemboy grow as a simple boy who became a worker student before he joined the Comboni Missionaries. Though he is the only child of his parents, both his mother and father were radiant that their son is now a priest. “Jemboy is now a priest!” his father joyfully exclaimed as I embraced him.
Fr. Jemboy will now enjoy his ministry in his hometown as he will be on holidays until the time comes to head back to Kenya, as a pastor who wants to serve God’s people with the passion of St. Daniel Comboni for the African people.
“We praise God for blessing us with a new Comboni Missionary Priest,” said Fr. David da Costa Domingues, Superior Delegate of Asia.
