Brother Yakob’s ordination to the diaconate took place on Saturday 7 September in the parish of St Antony of Padua, London (England), in the presence of the Most Reverend Alan Williams, Bishop of the Diocese of Brentwood (London). Brother Leopold tells us.

D-day has arrived!  

It’s Saturday September 7th, 2024, and Saint Antony’s parish is in celebration. Because today is the diaconal Ordination of brother Yakob. The library of the brothers has been transformed into sacristy. Brother Yakob himself is attending to the needs of the visiting brothers and priests, anticipating his ministry of service. From Ethiopia have travelled the deacon-to-be’s sibling, Abba Tesfaye Bishamo, who paved the way in the family – having been a priest for the last 22 years! – together with some friends and also brother Philippe-François, the superior in Addis-Abbeba. The Netherlands aren’t badly represented either: apart from brother Ignaz-Maria, our Provincial, and brother Richard-Maria from Utrecht, Abba Petros Berga, Apostolic Visitor for the Ethiopian Catholics in Europe, has come from his parish close to Amsterdam. And from all around London had come a fair number of Ethiopian friends, priests and laity alike.  

I testify that he has been found worthy!  

Picking up on br Ignatius’s presentation of the candidate, which suggested that brother Yakob had been a trailblazer and pioneer of the Ethiopian brothers in the Congregation, Bishop Alan Williams turned our eyes towards Christ, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith [Hebrew 12], reminding us how Saint John himself was progressively perfected throughout the years. Bishop Alan also witnessed how, during his own life and ministry, he had constantly experienced the action of Jesus Good Shepherd bringing back the lost sheep. He reminded us also that Saint Antony’s charism was to be the patron of the lost, and exhorted our brother to do the same. 

Rejoice O Mary Heavenly Queen 

After communion, Abba Petros led a venerable Marian chant and dance, sung in Ge’ez, the liturgical language in Ethiopia, which he was kind enough to translate for the uninitiated. After Mass, the gardens behind the priory hosted a pleasant party full of Ethiopian flavours and rhythms, under an unusually clear and sunny London sky. The day ended – how else, on such a joyful day? – with more dancing.