On Saturday, 14 February 2026, Hekima University College celebrated its annual diaconate ordinations in a solemn and joy-filled Eucharistic liturgy presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan, Archbishop Hubertus Matheus Maria Van Megen. In keeping with Hekima’s long-standing tradition, the ordinations took place on the Saturday preceding Ash Wednesday, situating the celebration at the threshold of the Lenten season—a fitting moment to entrust new ministers to a path of service, sacrifice, and hope.
Twenty-three candidates were ordained to the Order of Deacons. All are third-year theology students at Hekima, completing the final stages of their formation before priestly ordination. The ordinands represented a rich diversity of congregations and cultures: fifteen belong to the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), five to the Augustinians of the Assumption, and three to the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate.
Beyond their congregational affiliations, the newly ordained deacons reflected the international character of Hekima’s theological community. They come from various African countries, embodying the vibrancy and growth of the Church across the continent. The group also included students from India and Sri Lanka, underscoring the global dimension of priestly formation at Hekima. This diversity was visibly expressed in the liturgy through different languages, cultural expressions, and traditions, all united in a single act of thanksgiving.
In his homily, Archbishop Van Megen reminded the candidates that the diaconate is not merely a transitional step toward priesthood, but a profound participation in Christ’s own ministry of service. He invited them to root their identity in Christ the Servant, who came not to be served but to serve. Emphasising the threefold ministry of the deacon—proclaiming the Word, assisting at the altar, and serving the poor—he encouraged them to cultivate humility, pastoral charity, and fidelity to the Gospel in every dimension of their lives.
The solemn rite, marked by the laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration, was received with deep reverence by the assembly. Religious superiors, formators, faculty members, families, and friends filled Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in prayerful support. For many, the celebration was not only a personal milestone but also a sign of hope for the Church in Africa and beyond, where vocations continue to flourish despite many pastoral and social challenges.
As Hekima University College continues its mission of forming leaders for service in Church and society, the annual diaconate ordination remains a significant moment in its academic and spiritual calendar. Celebrated each year on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday, the ordination connects theological study with the concrete call to ecclesial service. The twenty-three newly ordained deacons now step forward to exercise their ministry within and beyond the Hekima community, carrying with them the fruits of rigorous study, communal life, and spiritual formation, and offering their lives in generous service to the people of God.
Watch the full ordination celebration here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B68XJi5hlVY
By Norbert Litoing, SJ. Interim Director – JHIA
