Josephites make final professions, eight instituted as acolytes and lectors

WASHINGTON  — The Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, better known as the Josephites, instituted eight seminarians Thursday as acolytes and lectors on their way to the priesthood.

The ceremony, which doubled as the perpetual vow Mass for three men being ordained transitional deacons on Saturday, Dec. 7, took place at historic St. Joseph Seminary in the nation's capital. The society’s superior general, Bishop Emeritus John H. Ricard of Pensacola-Tallahassee, was the main celebrant.

“These young men have to take certain steps… and this is one of those steps,” the prelate told the assembled crowd of family members, friends, and supporters, during his homily.

“We pray to God that they will stand at the altar in the place of Christ and offer sacrifices for God’s people.”

The ministry of lector, formerly a minor order until the reforms of Pope St. Paul VI in 1972, was bestowed on Abiodun Michael, Emmanuel Onuoha, Innocent Okwarachukwu, Peter-Claver Anochirim, Solomon Kwaza, and Lawrence Omatola. The six men professed first vows with the Josephites in May.

The similar ministry of acolyte was bestowed on Alexander Lema and Justus Ihemawulaotu, who professed first vows in 2023. All eight of the newly instituted hail from Nigeria and study theology at the Catholic University of America.

Chidiebere Dominic, Linus James, and Charles Nwamadi professed final vows on Thursday and will be ordained deacons by Ricard on Saturday at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, one of the society’s three parishes in Washington. 

The Josephites, founded in 1893 and currently numbering roughly 60 members, staff some three dozen parishes and schools in the African-American communities of the Deep South, Texas, the Washington metropolitan area, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.

Roughly a dozen of their priests and brothers were in attendance in Washington—including novice master Fr Roderick Coates, who traveled from Louisiana for the Mass. He is part of a formation team comprising vocations director Fr Stephen Sohe, academic dean Fr Anthony Bozeman, seminary rector Fr Nixon Mullah, and vice rector Fr Leo Udeagu, all of Washington.

Members of the society’s administration team in Baltimore—including vicar general Fr Ray Bomberger, consultor general Fr Michael Saah Buckman, and treasurer Fr Nelson Moreira—were also present on Thursday, as were Br Cursey “CJ” Calais II and Christian Bentley, who assist with vocations promotion for the society.

Saturday’s ordination, which will begin at 10am ET, is the second for the Josephites this year, following Dominic Njoku’s ordination to the priesthood in May. He serves as a theology teacher at the society’s flagship school, St. Augustine High in New Orleans.

Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.

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