History is being written at the heart of the Catholic Church today as Deacon Joseph Mutisya, a native of Kitui County, is ordained into the Order of Priesthood by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Mutisya becomes the first Kenyan to be ordained to the priesthood by a sitting Pope, and the only African among the 31 deacons receiving priestly ordination during this morning’s Mass — which also marks the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and serves as the highlight of the Jubilee of Priests celebrations.
The Ordination Mass, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Rome time (10:30 a.m. East African Time), is the second such ceremony presided over by Pope Leo XIV since his Papal inauguration.
A Journey of Faith from Kitui to the Vatican
Born and raised in Katyethoka Station in the Cathedral Parish of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui, Deacon Mutisya has followed a decade-long path of priestly formation, beginning in 2015 at Christ the King Major Seminary.
He later earned a Certificate in Spiritual Studies, as well as Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and Theology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
In December 2024, he was ordained a Deacon by Kitui Diocese’s Bishop Joseph Maluki Mwongela, alongside five other Acolytes. Mutisya signed his pre-ordination documents on June 12, 2025, at the Kitui Pastoral Centre, in the presence of Very Rev. Fr. John Mwandi (Vicar General) and Rev. Fr. Edward Mulwa (Vocations Director).
His priestly vestments today are being conferred by Rev. Fr. Josephat Ndunda, who was assigned by the Kenyan Diocese to accompany him to Rome.
Inspired by Scripture and Service
Deacon Mutisya has drawn deep inspiration from the Gospel of Matthew 19:21:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
His ordination not only fulfills a personal calling but also represents a spiritual milestone for the Catholic Church in Kenya and Africa at large, affirming the growing role of African clergy in the global mission of the Church.
A Brotherhood in Waiting
The five other deacons ordained alongside him last December — Emmanuel Mwanzia, Julius Munyoki, Joseph Manzi, Stephen Kivite, and Martin Ndonyi — are expected to be ordained to the priesthood in Kitui on December 8, 2025.
Today’s ceremony, held on one of the Church’s holiest feast days, serves as both a celebration of priesthood and a powerful reminder of the universality of the Catholic faith.
