Three seminarians were ordained to the diaconate on April 9 at St. Patrick’s Church in a solemn ceremony presided over by Bishop John Mung Ngawn La Sam of Myitkyina Diocese, drawing more than 300 faithful.

Before the Mass, the bishop blessed a new Adoration Chapel. The ordination liturgy then continued with priests, religious, and the faithful gathered in prayer.

‘Peace Be With You’

In his homily, Bishop John reflected on the Apostles’ Creed, which Catholics recite on Sundays and during the Rosary. “If we say this Creed reflectively, our faith will never be lost,” he said. “If you obey and love the Church, you love and obey the Apostles, Christ, and God.”

He turned to the day’s Gospel, recalling the moment when the disciples, weary and discouraged, doubted the resurrection. Jesus suddenly stood among them and greeted them, “Peace be with you.” In their confusion and fear, He gently asked, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts?”

Jesus revealed Himself not only to prove His resurrection but to remind them that He had never left them, the bishop said.

Walking Beside Us

The bishop drew a parallel to the faithful’s own struggles. “If we are honest with ourselves, we often find our own hearts reflected in the lives of the apostles. We, too, experience doubt. We, too, feel abandoned at times,” he said.

“Even when we do not recognize Him, Jesus walks beside us. Even when our hearts are heavy, He is already at work within us. Even when hope seems lost, He is preparing us for a deeper encounter with His presence.”

New Appointments

Following the Mass, Bishop John announced the assignments for the newly ordained deacons:

• Deacon Paul Naw Bu Tu Hkum will serve as the Personal Secretary of the Bishop of Myitkyina.
• Deacon Peter Maji Zau Jun Du will assist Fr. Peter Labu Naw San, parish priest of Danai.
• Deacon John Lazum Seng Awng will serve as the spiritual director of St. Patrick’s Intermediate Seminary in Shatapru.

Currently, 72 priests are serving in the Diocese of Myitkyina, comprising 60 diocesan priests and 12 religious priests (4 Salesian, 3 Columban, 3 Jesuit, and 2 Missionary of Faith). 

The diaconate ordination Mass was celebrated with the grace of God, and the faithful participated joyfully in the milestone for the diocese. The three deacons now begin their ministry, serving in their respective assignments under the bishop’s guidance.

By RVA Kachin Jinghpaw Service