Ouagadougou: Father Sraphin "Yentemma" Mano celebrates his first thanksgiving mass under the banner of service, unity, and hope. Two weeks after his priestly ordination, Father Sraphin 'Yentemma' Mano celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday at Saint Andrew Parish in Bogand. A large crowd of parishioners, administrative, traditional, and religious authorities, as well as numerous delegations from parishes throughout the diocese and from sister churches, were present. The celebration was marked by gratitude to God, a call for unity among priests, and prayers for peace in Burkina Faso.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Eucharistic celebration opened with a welcome address from the parish priest of Saint-Andr de Bogand, Father Mathieu Ouoba. On behalf of the parish community, he described this first Mass as a "major event" for the local Church. 'God has bestowed upon us an immense gift. On July 4th, he called and consecrated Father Sraphin 'Yentemma' Mano to the priestly ministry,' he declared, before inviting the new priest and his recently ordained colleagues, present for the occasion, to remain united and in solidarity in the exercise of their pastoral mission.
'We have only one word: thank God. Thank you for choosing Father Sraphin 'Yentemma' Mano as a priest. Our prayers also rise for a peaceful Burkina Faso,' he added. The celebration brought together administrative, customary and religious authorities, including His Majesty Yempaabou, chief of the canton of Bogand.
During the mass, the customary sovereign conferred upon the new priest the traditional name "Yentemma", as a sign of blessing, attachment to cultural values, and integration into the local customary heritage. Representing the Bishop of the Diocese of Fada N'Gourma, Father Thophile Tindano, Vicar General, conveyed the greetings and blessings of His Grace to the faithful, while encouraging the new Abbot to carry out his ministry with fidelity, humility and availability in the service of the people of God.
Interspersed with performances from various choirs, biblical readings and songs of praise, including the famous "Hear us, Lord", the celebration plunged the assembly into a deep spiritual fervor. At 10:42 a.m., Father Sraphin "Yentemma" Mano officially presided over his first Eucharistic celebration. In a calm and serene voice, the new priest led the liturgy according to the Catholic rite, before a reverent congregation.
During his homily, Father Jean Baptiste Yarga urged the faithful to remain firm in the faith, to cultivate love of neighbor and to work for peace, reconciliation and solidarity, in a national context marked by multiple security and humanitarian challenges. At the end of the celebration, the new abbot expressed his deep gratitude to God for the gift of the priesthood.
He also thanked his parents, his trainers, his fellow priests, the religious men and women, as well as all the faithful who accompanied him with their prayers throughout his vocational journey. Father Sraphin 'Yentemma' Mano's parents, visibly moved, gave thanks to God for this vocation granted to their family and entrusted the young priest to the prayers of the community so that his ministry would be fruitful and a source of many blessings.
The participation of sister churches at the provincial and regional levels, parish delegations from several localities of the diocese, as well as civil, customary and religious authorities, gave a special brilliance to this thanksgiving mass, a symbol of ecclesial communion and fraternity. This first Eucharistic celebration officially opens the priestly ministry of Father Sraphin "Yentemma" Mano, now called to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments and accompany the faithful in their spiritual journey, in service to the Church and the nation.