Diaconate Ordination of Evans Appiah, S.J.
On Saturday 27th April 2019 – Evans Appiah, SJ joined 20 others, comprising 16 Jesuits and 4 Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, to be ordained deacons at the Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jesus (ITCJ), Abidjan.
The Mass, which was presided over by Most Rev. Ignace Dogbo of the Katiola Diocese in Ivory Coast, started at 10 am. Present at the mass were the rector, Fr. Jocelyn Rabeson, SJ, the Socius to the JCAM President, Fr. John the Baptist Anyeh-Zamcho, SJ, who was there to represent Fr. A.E. Orobator, SJ, and Fr. Chikere Ugwuanyi, SJ a representative of the Provincial of the North-West Africa Province, Fr. Chuks Afiawari, SJ. There were about 40 other priests and about 400 friends and faithful in attendance.
In his homily, Most Rev. Dogbo, reiterated the fact that being a deacon is an act of service. A service that transcends the work done on the altar but also taking care of the people and the house of God.
The mass was a solemn one with each rite explained by the commentator of the day to the 
comprehension of all those present. Fr. Chikere and Appiah stole the show when it was time for the new deacons to be dressed in their stoles and dalmatic. Evans and Chikere broke into a spontaneous dance with lots of handkerchief waving, Ghana style. It was indeed a sight to behold to see the bursting forth of joy from both of our brothers.
At the end of the Mass, Rev. Patrick Mugisho, SJ, speaking on behalf of those who had just been ordained gave a vote of thanks which expressed not only the gratitude of those who had just been ordained but also of their joy of what God had just done for them. The Rector also thanked all those who were present, especially those who had to make long journeys from Zambia, Togo, and Ghana. Evans was well represented by 6 people from Ghana including Chinonso Ugochukwu, SJ who came all the way from Cape Coast to be present at the event.
After the final blessing, the procession filed out of the Chapel with a lot of pomp and pageantry with smartphone cameras clicking away to catch a glimpse of the new deacons. After the customary pictures with the Bishop were taken, the deacons began blessing and taking pictures with those who came to celebrate the day with them.
We continue to give thanks to God for his goodness and mercies, for gifting us with perfect weather that day and for journeying mercies granted to all those who travelled to be with us on that day.