The First Priesthood Ordination for the St. Francis Foundation of Russia and Kazakhstan

The Feast of St. Francis this year was even made greater and more meaningful by the first priesthood ordination for the Foundation: our brother, Vitaly Kostiuk, by the hands of His Excellency, Josè Louis Mumbella Serra, bishop of Almaty in Kazakhstan, was ordained October 4th with the participation of the Foundation’s Council Members, with almost all of the priests of the Diocese and with many of the faithful, some of whom came from great distances to attend the event that is rare, unique and most awaited in the area. Fr. Vitaly entered the Order in the friary of Almaty as a postulant, then went to Italy to study, to learn Italian and for his novitiate. He began his theological studies in Petersburg and completed them in the formation house of St. Bernardine in Verona. After he was ordained a deacon, he ministered in the parish and fraternity of Almaty where he currently resides as Associate Pastor. We thank the Lord for such a great gift which gives hope to all of us and we wish our brother Vitaly a fruitful service in the Foundation of Russia and Kazakhstan. May he also serve as an example for many of the youth to follow the footsteps of St. Francis in service of the Church. [gallery link="file" ids="9658,9659,9660"]