A childhood calling, a father’s loss, and years of faithful preparation came together in a defining moment for Kiribati when Father Tokabwebwe Tabanea celebrated his first Mass as an ordained priest.
Ordained on Saturday, Father Tokabwebwe is one of the young men of the Diocese of Tarawa and Nauru who have chosen to devote his life serving the Catholic church.
His journey carries a wider message for young men across the Pacific: a dream first recognized in childhood can become a life of purpose through faith, discipline and perseverance.
Speaking after his ordination, Father Tokabwebwe said his desire to serve God began when he was a young boy.
“I felt that divine calling when I was in class 5 at Primary school and have been reflecting on it ever since. I became devoted to prayer, praying the rosary before my exams and even when I had no exams,” he said
His parents did not initially realize that he hoped to become a priest, but once they understood his calling, they gave him the support he needed to continue.
The death of his father in 2017 brought deep personal loss, but it did not stop him from pursuing his vocation.
On September 12, Bishop Simon Mani ordained him as a priest for the Diocese of Tarawa and Nauru. His mother and uncle accompanied him down the aisle.
Father Tokabwebwe said the meaning of his childhood dream became fully clear when Bishop Mani ordained him.
He wished his father had been alive to witness the occasion and to walk beside him and his mother. The newly ordained priest thanked Vicar General Father Kanoua Iotebwa, his family and people of Teaoraereke parish and the wider catholic community for helping make his ordination possible.
