Hawaii Catholic Herald HILO — Before a full congregation of family, friends and faithful from across the state, John Jacob Akau took another step toward becoming a priest in the Diocese of Honolulu. Bishop Larry Silva ordained the Hawaii island native to the diaconate July 12 at St. Joseph Church in Hilo, with two dozen […]
Bishop Larry Silva: ordination Mass homily
Excerpts from Bishop Larry Silva’s homily during Mass celebrating the ordination to the diaconate of John Jacob Akau: “The plan of Jesus is to have his Gospel erupt from Jerusalem and grow to cover the entire world, and that was fulfilled in a dramatic way by the missionaries who came to set this part of […]
A priesthood journey filled with twists and turns
By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald John Jacob Akau can trace his “long and winding” journey to becoming a priest back to his childhood in Pahala, on Hawaii island. Akau, 39, would celebrate pretend Mass — “playing priest with sandwich bread,” he said, a towel tied around his neck to resemble a vestment. And […]