“It humbles me deeply” – Ghanaian deacon reflects on being ordained by Pope Leo XIV

For Rev. Blaise Ofoe Mankwa, a young Ghanaian deacon serving in the Diocese of Kingstown in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the call to priesthood has reached an emotional point as he prepares to be ordained by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome tomorrow June 27.

It is a moment he describes with deep emotion: “Being ordained by Pope Leo is something I never imagined in my wildest dreams. For me personally, it feels like God saying, ‘I see you. I called you. I am with you.’”

Rev. Mankwa’s journey spans Ghana, Kenya, and the Caribbean—proof of the global reach of the Church’s mission. “It’s a quiet confirmation that every step of this journey… was worth it,” he said.

But the weight of the moment is not lost on him. “Honestly, it humbles me deeply. I know I’m not here by merit but by grace,” he shared.

As he prepares for the priesthood, he feels a responsibility beyond himself: “As a witness to vocations in Africa, I hope my story says: ‘It’s possible. God still calls. And He uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways.’”

His hope? That even one person will say yes to God because of what they see in him: “If even one young person sees this and thinks, ‘Maybe God is calling me too,’ then it will all be worth it.”