At 8.30 AM, on the 26 December 2021, the Feast of the Holy Family, Br Emmanuel Kagaba MOP was ordained for Missionaries of the Poor.

The ordination ceremony was held at the MOP mother house, Kingston, Jamaica. Fr Emmanuel commenced his training in MOP in 2003, coming from Uganda, undertaking his novitiate training in Jamaica, prior to being chosen to lead a pioneer group of MOP brothers to the new mission in Labuan Bajo, Flores in 2010. He spent 6 years setting up this mission and then was one of the pioneering brothers sent to Timor Leste to commence the mission in Saburai. Thus, in 2016 he commenced his priestly training in Canada, later in Jamaica, and will continue his post ordination studies in Chicago in the United States.

This has fulfilled a life long dream (since he was seven years of age) of becoming a priest. He now will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and will assist and lead the faithful in the ministry of the Word, of the altar, proclaim the Gospel, prepare the sacrifice, and distribute the Lord’s Body and Blood to the faithful.

Please see below some images from the ceremony, with a familiar face (Fr Ambrose) concelebrating with Fr Emmanuel at his first mass on the morning of the 27 December. In addition we have attached some historical photos of Br Emmanuel back in 2010 not long after arriving at Labuan Bajo.

We wish all MOP supporters, associates and followers every blessing for the new year and we pray that the world recovers soon from the effects of the pandemic.

God bless

Trevor and Tina

Giving a blessing to the bishop
Laying down his life for Jesus
Giving thanks
Representatives from Uganda
His first mass concelebrating with Fr Hayden and Fr Ambrose
Also with the Bishop
With Fr Ambrose
Welcoming visitors from Australia October 2010
Teaching aspirants catechesis 2010
Aspirant ceremony October 2010
Br Emmanuel with Tina overlooking the Labuan Bajo bay October 2010
Checking out the monastery land April 2011