The Diocese of Hakha celebrated the ordination of four new deacons during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at St. Joseph Cathedral Hakha on Tuesday, August 4, the Feast of St. John Mary Vianney, patron saint of diocesan priests.

The Diaconate ordination Mass began at 9:00 a.m. and was presided over by Bishop Lucius Hre Kung, who ordained four candidates to the diaconate—two from the Diocese of Hakha and two from the Little Way Missionary of St. Therese (LWMT).

The celebration was attended by 25 priests, 25 religious sisters, and more than 500 faithful from the parish community.

Mass and Historical Significance

Addressing the congregation, Bishop Lucius described the occasion as a historic milestone for the Diocese of Hakha.

“What a special year for the Diocese of Hakha. This is historical and at the same time a blessing for the diocese. The Catholic Church is like a big family, a family of the Kingdom of God on earth,” he said.

In his homily, Bishop Lucius reflected on the day’s Gospel from Matthew 15:1–2, 10–14, in which Jesus teaches that it is not what enters the mouth that makes a person unclean, but what comes from the heart.

Drawing inspiration from the life of St. John Mary Vianney, the bishop emphasized that holiness and virtue are more important than academic excellence. Although St. John Mary Vianney struggled academically and was not known for eloquent preaching, his deep love for God, humility, and zeal for the salvation of souls made him one of the Church’s greatest pastors.

“We may not be very good in academic life, but what we need is to possess the virtues of St. John Mary Vianney—love for the faithful and zeal for their salvation,” Bishop Lucius said.

He reminded the ordinands that, like St. John Mary Vianney, they are called to guide, teach, and correct God’s people with holiness and charity, even when their efforts are not appreciated by society. The bishop encouraged them to remain faithful to God and to the Church, trusting that God sees the sincerity of their hearts and will strengthen them with His grace.

Voices from the Celebration

Fr. Peter Shjreh of the Little Way Missionary of St. Therese (LWMT), associate parish priest of St. Joseph Cathedral, expressed gratitude to Bishop Lucius and the Diocese of Hakha.

“We thank Bishop Lucius for allowing us to be ordained in the Diocese of Hakha. As the bishop said in his homily, this is truly God’s grace and a great blessing. We are especially happy because this is our first year of missionary service in the diocese. As missionaries, we look forward to serving the people and contributing to the mission of the local Church,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the newly ordained deacons, Deacon Francis offered words of appreciation to the parishioners.

“Thank you very much to all the parishioners who generously dedicated themselves to preparing this celebration. You served not because we asked you to, but because of your love for Christ and His Church. Your generosity and hard work made this joyful occasion possible,” he said.

A Growing Missionary Presence

This is the second time that LWMTs have been ordained as deacons in the Diocese of Hakha. In 2025, the first LWMT deacon ordination was held at St. Joseph Cathedral, Hakha. It was introduced to prepare for the future mission and ministry of LWMTs in the Diocese of Hakha.

The ordination of four new deacons marks a significant moment for the diocese. It represents growth, hope, and a deepening commitment to serving God’s people. As the newly ordained deacons begin their ministry, the faithful of Hakha welcome them with open hearts, praying for their strength and perseverance in the years ahead.

By RVA Hakha Chin Service