Archbishop Banda urges newly ordained Deacons to shine hope in darkness
New Deacons called to mirror Mary’s humility in a wounded World
In his homily during the Ordination Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, the Archbishop reminded the ordinands that their mission is not about perfection but grace.
“You are being sent not on account of being blameless, but as people affected by grace,” he said. “There is a special grace which will sustain you, direct, and propel you headlong, even when you are plagued by doubts; especially when you are left to shoulder the burden of hope and the pain of the people under your care.”
“Yes, you will find yourselves among people who are living in desperation, people who are hurting, people who are lonely, people who are questioning their very existence; just to be plain people who are tired with life. You may not be able to fix it all, but you can be available.”
The quartet ordained are; Dc. Bernard Tende Chomba, Dc. Justine Landilani Phiri, Dc. Dr. Francis Mangeni, and Dc. Kelvin Chongo
The Archbishop encouraged the ordinands to be present among the hurting, lonely, and vulnerable, offering small lights of hope in a world marked by division and uncertainty.
“Your availability, and especially to the hurting, the desperate, lonely and vulnerable; will enkindle small lights of hope in an environment which has become toxic; a landscape that now grapples with fear, division, and uncertainty; and an ensuing culture, where religious gatherings such as suiting or blousing, are deemed political,” he said.
As the four Deacons begin their ministry, the Archbishop’s prayer resounded: that they embody Mary’s humility, Christ’s compassion, and God’s hope—walking with the people of God, never abandoning them, but assuring them that even the smallest light, ignited by God Himself, is enough.
Archbishop Banda also reminded the faithful of the enduring promise of God’s love, even in humanity’s brokenness. Reflecting on Genesis, he noted: “It is in this darkness of our own making that God finds us, not having abandoned us, but searching, saying, ‘Where are you, why are you hiding?’” He emphasized that God’s promise to crush the serpent’s head assures us that evil will never have the final word.
Turning to Mary, the Archbishop highlighted her humility and obedience as a model for the ordinands. “In her meek submission, Mary assents to the words of the angel by saying, ‘Let it be done to me according to your word.’ And everything changes in a flash of a moment,” he said. He urged the new deacons to emulate Mary’s availability and courage in responding to God’s call.
