I believe the ordination of a new priest is a very special moment in the life of a Bishop. Particularly when this (or these priests in this case) belong to your Diocese (or Vicariate in our case).
Though one of the priests is a member of a religious Order (Servants of Mary) they were both born in the Vicariate of Ingwavuma.
Two thirds of all our priests were born in the Vicariate. It is a sign of a special blessing from God, a sign of his presence among us. It also shows the readiness of our youth to welcome God's call.
For a "missionary Bishop" it is a sign of the growth of the local Church. One of them might become the future Bishop of this area or be called to serve in any other Diocese of the country or the world.
At ordination, a very special bond might be born between the bishop and the priest as he shares with him the priesthood he himself has received.
For some reason in these events I always remember the wonder of the people at the birth of John the Baptist when they said: "All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him."
