VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
I have only been in Hawaii for three months now, and I love being with the community at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Church. Father Anthony Rapozo, the pastor, and his staff are so supportive. The people are full of life.
This is my second mission abroad. The first time I left Zambia, I went to Baltimore, Maryland, for studies. But I also helped out with celebrating Masses and ministering in other pastoral duties at the Church of the Nativity in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. I worked with the people. Even when I was working in the Zambia Episcopal Conference as the assistant national pastoral coordinator for several years, every weekend I was in the parish celebrating Mass, the sacrament of the sick and the sacrament of reconciliation. I feel the heart of my priesthood is to work with the people.
Parish work is exciting for me. It is nice to be back in the parish. Taking each day, one day at a time, I find that as I deal with people, I also grow and am nourished spiritually. As you meet people and they share their lives and the different challenges they may be facing, you share in the will of God. It can be stretching at times, but it is a blessed ministry.
Where did I get my faith? It runs in my family. My grandparents were strong Catholics, and they in turn produced the strong Catholics my parents became. I got my faith from my parents. For my two sisters and four brothers, it is a family thing to have been raised in the faith handed down. I am number five among my siblings.
Prayer and the sacraments are very important in helping me move forth every day. Every day I pray my morning prayer and evening prayer. In between, I celebrate the Mass and make time for meditation. These are the pillars of my faith, along with Scripture. The reading of the Scriptures helps us reflect on whatever we are doing or thinking. Through meditating on Scripture we can find the will of God that helps us to move on in our lives. The Beatitudes, for example, found in Matthew 5:1-10 really summarizes the spiritual life.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
How do I take care of myself during this
COVID-19 time? Once a month, on the weekend I go to the Benedictine Monastery to celebrate Mass. I also exercise by taking a walk or lifting some weights, which we have here. Regarding exercise however, I just need to discipline myself to find the time.
Father Boniface Sakala is a diocesan priest from Zambia, Africa. He is 21 years ordained. He serves as the parochial vicar at St. John the Apostle and Evangelist Parish in Mililani.
