by Andrea Moreno-Díaz and Giovana Soria

Photos by Octavo Durán

Maryknoll continues to usher in a ‘new era of mission’ with the ordination of two Kenyan priests

A stirring call to worship in Swahili, ululations and Kenyan drums brought the spirit of Africa to the Maryknoll campus in Ossining, New York, for the ordination of the two newest Maryknoll priests, Joshua Maondo and Charles Ogony, from Kenya.

Maryknoll missioners and attendees of different countries, languages and cultures packed Our Lady Queen of Apostles Chapel, including three Kenyan choirs from Minnesota, New Jersey and Seattle, as well as Hispanic parishioners from Chicago who drove 12 hours for the special occasion.

During the Mass held on June 8, Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne of the Archdiocese of New York evoked the innovative missionary spirit of early Maryknoller Bishop Francis Xavier Ford. “His episcopal model was condolere; to have compassion,” Bishop Byrne said. “First, we have to love people if we want to teach them and have them respond.”