DOUBLE JOY: TWO BRAZILIAN COUSINS TO BE ORDAINED ON THE SAME DAY

-
By Fr. Casmir Odundo 

Mention Brazil at this point in time and everyone thinks about the ongoing World Cup 2022. 

Well, other than the World Cup, there is something else, perhaps nicer, more beautiful and more important will happen in that country early next month, to be precise on the 6th of January 2023, during the Solemnity of the Epiphany.

Deacon Pedro (L), Fr. Casmir, (C) and Deacon Joao

Two young men, Pedro Paulo Funari, aged 33 and Joao Henrique Funari, aged 29, will be ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo by His Eminence Odilo Pedro Cardinal Scherer, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Sao Paulo in Brazil. 

Every priestly ordination is special but what makes this one more interesting is the fact that those to be ordained, Pedro and Joao, on the same day, in their own parish church: the Parish of Our Lady of Brazil, in Sao Paulo are actually first cousins. Marcelo, the father of Pedro and the godfather of Joao, is the brother of Joao's mother, Cecilia. 

The two cousins have been through a lot together already. They are not just tied by blood, height and physical appearance but also tied by a unique vocation to the priesthood. 

Pedro is four years older than Joao, because he joined the seminary after pursuing a degree in Economics. The two cousins joined the seminary together on the same day in August of 2016. Later Cardinal Pedro Odilo Scherer decided to send both of them to Rome, at the International Seminary, Sedes Sapientiae, to complete their formation. They arrived in Rome on the same plane on 21st August 2017. 

They have been in Rome together, persevered together, studied together and were ordained deacons together at the Cathedral of Sao Paolo in Brazil on 9th July 2022 during the feast of St. (Madre) Paolina. From there, their bishop sent them back to Rome, again together, for further studies. Deacon Pedro is pursuing a Licentiate (Master's Degree) in Spiritual Theology while Deacon Joao is pursuing a Licentiate Degree (Master's Degree) in Philosophy all of them studying at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome. 

Their return to Rome, this time, came with a little difference as Pedro is residing at Colegio Tiberino while Joao is residing at Colegio Altomonte.  Both of these being Priestly Colleges (residences) of the Pontifical University of the Holy, Cross. 

I caught up with the two of them, up close at Casa Divin Maestro, in Aricca, Albano as they were making their retreat in preparation for their forthcoming priestly ordination in Brazil, early next month. "It is interesting how everything is so connected, " remarked Pedro. Though jokingly he also added, "It is not easy studying with your cousin, you know, you need a lot of patience!" He remarked. "That is because when we were young boys, we would always fight!" retorted Joao jokingly. 

Being with both of them, one easily notices how happy they are for one another and just how excited they are about the priesthood, which they will receive together, on the same day and in their home parish. Normally, the Cardinal Archbishop of Sao Paolo prefers to ordain his diocesan priests in the cathedral, but for these two cousins he has made the exception to ordain them in their home parish. 

"So how will your first mass/masses be like? Who among you will be the main celebrant and who will preach?" I asked.  Joao responded by saying that they have organized their first masses to be both on the same day in their parish church, only at different times. "Pedro's first Mass will be first at 10am, our Parish Priest will preach, and I will serve him as a Master of Ceremony." remarked Joao. "Then at Midday I will celebrate my first Mass, the parish Priest will still preach, and Pedro will serve as a Master of Ceremony." Joao remarked. 

I finally asked them what their expectations are once they become priests. "I expect to bring many souls to Christ." Remarked Pedro with a beaming smile. When it was Joao's turn, he complained jokingly that I was a little bit unfair because I asked Pedro to go first, and Pedro thus had said what he wanted to say. But when pressed further he said, "Honestly, I expect to serve Christ to the end."

On matters football and precisely the World Cup, the two cousins, are united and unanimous that they would like Brazil to win the title again. They told me I have no option but to support them since, my namesake, Casemiro, one of the famous Brazilian football players is actually originally from their home team in Sao Paolo. 

We wish the two priests to be/cousins well as they prepare for this great occasion for them and for their family. The priesthood is definitely, the Greatest THING! 

The author is a Priest of the diocese of Nakuru, Kenya and a Licentiate Student of Church History, at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.  

Email casmirthomas28@gmail.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE OFFERTORY PROCESSION

-
Image
THE OFFERTORY PROCESSION By Rev. Fr. Casmir Odundo In many Catholic Churches in our country, I have observed that during preparation of the offerings, the Procession of the faithful, with the gifts of bread, wine, water as well as the monetary offerings (especially on Sunday Masses) is gradually being omitted. In other places, where it is practiced, its significance is sometimes overlooked. It is fitting to note that, strictly speaking there are 4 major processions in Mass: 1.       During the Entrance, where the priest(s) going with the deacon(s) and ministers process to the altar 2.       During the Gospel Acclamation or Alleluia where the deacon carrying the Book of the Gospels processes to the ambo before the proclamation of the Gospel; 3.       Procession of the faithful presenting the gifts 4.        Procession Faithful coming forward to receive Communion. The General Instructions of the Roman Missal instructs that these four processions, “ be carr
Read more

"I WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE GATE" FR. MICHAEL MUTUKU

-
Image
"We know that we have passed from death to life because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death." (1 John 3:14).   These are the words that came to my mind when I was told about the life of Fr. Michael Musyimi Mutuku, who passed away on the 18th of August 2023 and was buried yesterday, during the feast of St. Augustine at Katoloni in Machakos. I was not privileged to know Fr. Michael during his life. However, the testimonies I heard and read after his death really moved me. Fr. Michael was the only son of his family and he decided to become a priest. At the time of his joining the seminary, he was actually the breadwinner of his family. But he left all that and joined the seminary. He actually received his vocation when he was at the University of Nairobi. Back then, unlike today, very few students would make it to the university and Michael was among them. At the University of Nairobi, and at St. Paul's chaplaincy, he was known as a talented musicia
Read more

BREAKING BARRIERS: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ARCHBISHOP STEPHEN AMEYU MARTIN MULLA'S ELEVATION TO CARDINAL

-
Image
By Fr. Casmir Odundo The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. By the  Lord  has this been done; a marvel in our eyes. (Psalm 118: 22-24) The decision of Pope Francis to name Archbishop Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla of Juba, South Sudan, as a Cardinal Last Sunday (5th July 2023), along with 20 others, could be Pope Francis' way of sending a message to the Church regarding the tribal politics that sometimes find their way into the Church. This follows the elevation of Bishop Peter Ebere Okpaleke to Cardinal, who had also undergone similar tribulations when he was appointed Bishop of Ahira diocese .  When Pope Francis appointed Bishop Ameyu as the Archbishop of Juba, there was contestation from a few individuals who wrote a letter stating , " Under no conditions will Bishop Ameyu be accepted to serve as Archbishop of Juba. " To make their case weighty, the letter also included false allegations to tarnish the Archbishop's name. However, as in the diocese
Read more