Joy Fills Bare Parish as Two Newly Ordained Priests Celebrate Their First Mass
BARE, Rwanda – The Catholic Parish of Bare in Kibungo/Ngoma District was filled with joy and thanksgiving on Sunday, 2nd August, 2024 as Fr. Emmanuel Numviyumukiza, SDB, and Fr. Jean Abawe celebrated their First Holy Mass together in the parish where they began their journey of faith.
The celebration came just weeks after the two priests were ordained to the priesthood on July 18, 2026, during a solemn Eucharistic celebration at Sainte Famille Parish in Kigali, presided over by Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali.
The occasion brought together hundreds of Christians, family members, priests, religious men and women, and friends from different dioceses and congregations, who gathered to thank God for the gift of two new priests to the Church.
Fr. Emmanuel’s Salesian family was strongly represented by Fr. Gabriel Ngendakuriyo, SDB, Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, accompanied by members of his Provincial Council, numerous Salesians, members of the Don Bosco Family and lay faithful.
Local government leaders also joined the celebration, expressing gratitude for the blessing of having children from their community dedicate their lives to the service of God and His people.
During the celebration, appreciation was extended to the parents of the newly ordained priests, the Christian community of Bare Parish and everyone who had supported the two young men throughout their vocational journey. The faithful were also encouraged to continue fostering priestly and religious vocations, with an invitation to young people who feel called to serve God as Salesians or Salesian Sisters to respond generously.
The two newly ordained priests used the occasion to express profound gratitude to God for calling them to the priesthood and entrusting them with the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. They also acknowledged the guidance and encouragement they received from Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, who ordained them, as well as the unwavering support of their parents, teachers, formators, relatives and friends whose prayers and sacrifices accompanied them throughout their years of formation.
As they embarked on their priestly ministry, they entrusted their vocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking for her maternal intercession and praying that God would grant them the strength, wisdom and perseverance needed to faithfully serve His people throughout their lives.
Their parents, visibly moved by the occasion, thanked God for the gift of their children and for the privilege of seeing them become priests. They also expressed appreciation to everyone who had contributed to the preparations for the celebration and pledged to continue supporting their sons through constant prayer.
The celebration was further enriched by the presence of Bishop Emeritus Anastase Mutabazi of Kabgayi Diocese, who later joined the gathering. He thanked God for the gift of the priesthood and expressed gratitude to the new priests, their families, formators and the many faithful who had travelled from different dioceses and parishes to celebrate together.
He reflected on the unity demonstrated by the gathering, noting that Christians from different regions had come together around the Eucharist to celebrate the gift of priestly vocations. He also commended the leadership and faithful of Bare Parish for maintaining strong bonds with their community, even when parishioners move elsewhere.
The Bishop encouraged the faithful to remain steadfast in their Christian vocation, reminding them that the path of faith is a journey rooted in truth and lasting hope.
Later in the afternoon, members of the Salesian Family accompanied Fr. Emmanuel Numviyumukiza to his home village, where another joyful celebration awaited him.
Neighbours, relatives and friends warmly welcomed the newly ordained priest back home. The gathering was marked by moments of blessing as Fr. Emmanuel prayed for family members and guests who had come to share in his joy.
A celebratory cake was cut to mark the occasion before everyone gathered for a shared meal and refreshments in an atmosphere of gratitude, celebration and fraternity.
The day’s celebrations reflected not only the joy of two families but also the unity between the diocesan clergy and the Salesian Congregation. They became a powerful witness of a community rejoicing together as two of its sons began their priestly ministry in service to God and His Church.
As Fr. Emmanuel Numviyumukiza and Fr. Jean Abawe begin this new chapter of their lives, the Christian community continues to pray that the Lord who called them will sustain them with wisdom, fidelity and love, and that the Blessed Virgin Mary will accompany them throughout their priestly ministry.
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