On Thursday, November 26th 2015 Pierre Childeric Bivouli was ordained a Priest for Eternity in Florence, Italy at Ss Michael & Cajetan Church at the hands of His Eminence, Raymond Cardinal Burke. How fitting that this miracle of grace took place on a day that was both Monsignor Wach’s birthday and Thanksgiving. On the anniversary day of the birth of our founder, Holy Mother Church gave birth to a new priest. On a day Americans (joined by all of the seminarians and Superiors) render thanks, the Institute was blessed with its first Canon from our missions in Gabon. God is good!

Canons from across the world who at one time or another contributed to the priestly formation of our first “Child of the Mission” joyfully gathered in Florence to behold his Ordination. It was also the occasion for a large number of faithful from Gabon to come discover the Seminary. Not only did they attend the magnificent Liturgy, they contributed to it the beauty of their voices. The youth choir from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (which includes Canon Bivouli’s sisters!) sang polyphonic motets during the Ordination. Gabonese Altar boys joined the ranks of the clergy in the procession, certainly inspired by the example of their compatriot. It was truly a sight to behold… the Universal Church in action!

The next day Canon Bivouli celebrated his very first Mass in the Seminary Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; the same chapel that daily nourished and fortified his soul for over 7 years helping him become a Man of God. There he distributed Holy Communion to his parents, his siblings, his friends from back home and his former classmates from grade school.

Let us join the Institute and Holy Mother Church in offering heartfelt gratitude for the immense blessing of a Gabonese Priest. Pray that his generous answering of God’s call may move other young Gabonese men to this life of consecrated service.