African hymns echoed through the Church of the Resurrection in Killarney, Co. Kerry last Saturday during a special ceremony which saw three men make their first vows as Presentation Brothers.
Sebastian Dery (26), Leonard Derbie (33) and McSimon Azenda (34) made vows of poverty, chastity and obedience before Brother Martin Kenneally, the Congregation Leader of the Presentation Brothers, and a large congregation of local people and well-wishers.
The three men who are from Ghana and Nigeria have been studying at the Presentation Brothers Novitiate in Killarney since June and the men admitted that Ireland took some getting used to. “The weather in Ireland is the first thing an African notices about Ireland!” Br McSimon joked.
“It is a challenge to speak about God in a culture where people have so many other distractions,” said Br Sebastian.
“Missionaries came from Ireland to Africa in the past,” Br Leonard said. “Now, I can see how missionaries will come here from Africa in years to come.”