Six men will be ordained deacons by Bishop Patrick Neary June 14 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Five of them will be ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of St. Cloud but the sixth man has a unique story.
Crosier Brother Oscar Kasereka Vivalya Salama will be ordained a transitional deacon, which is a step on the path to priesthood. He is also a member of a religious order — the Crosier Fathers and Brothers — which adds another dimension to his vocation.
Brother Salama would normally be ordained by Bishop Neary at the Crosier Priory in Onamia, but the bishop’s schedule didn’t allow for a separate Mass so he was invited to be part of the diocesan celebration.
“I was so pleased to learn that Brother Salama is among those being ordained to the diaconate on June 14,” Bishop Neary said. “The Crosiers have played a significant role in the history of the Diocese of St. Cloud, from seminary formation to healthcare and parish ministry. They continue to be a light for our diocese from their filial priory in Onamia.”
“It’s a beautiful coincidence that my transitional diaconate ordination will take place at St. Mary’s Cathedral alongside the permanent deacons of the diocese,” he said. “I’m especially moved that we’ll receive the laying on of hands from the same bishop, Patrick, and be filled with the same Holy Spirit. Though my vocation flows from the Crosier charism, this shared liturgy reminds us of the rich diversity of ministries in the Church; and perhaps even encourages others to respond to God’s call. I’m also grateful that the Crosier community will be present, with brothers traveling from Phoenix, Onamia, and even our associates. Their support makes the cathedral feel like an extension of our communal life.”
Because he is a member of a religious order, there will be a few differences in the Rite of Ordination for him but they are minor and may not even be noticed by those present.
For example, Brother Salama will vow obedience to his superior, Father Alex Juguilon, conventual prior for the U.S. Crosier Fathers and Brothers.
Brother Salama was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1995 and grew up there.
His vocation journey began when a Crosier priest visited his home parish, Sainte Therese d’Avila (Saint Theresa of Avila) in Beni City in 2009.
“In our conversation, he told me his experience as a Crosier,” Brother Salama said. “He said that he is dedicated to serving the Church and the community. This talk left a deep impression on me, sparking my interest in the Crosier way of life.”
He joined the Crosiers in 2014 and made his first profession of vows on Sept. 14, 2017.
“The priesthood was not my initial plan when I joined the Crosiers,” he said. “The decision came gradually as I continued discerning my vocation in religious life. Over time, especially after professing my solemn vows in 2023 and through ongoing formation, I felt called to integrate ordained ministry as a way to deepen my service to the Church.”
Brother Salama said as a priest he will seek to facilitate encounters between God and humanity, where authority means accompaniment, sacraments are sources of communal transformation and mission begins at the margins.
“Aware of the needs of the world, I would like to continue the noble mission of priests who empower rather than dominate, who forge communion rather than isolation and who embody prophetic solidarity rather than privilege,” he said.
Father Juguilon said he believes Brother Salama will make a good deacon and future priest.
“He is eager to serve the people of God,” he said. “He is intelligent and has a gentle spirit about him. His personality is warm and kind and I think this bodes very well for pastoral ministry.”
Brother Salama is currently assigned to the Crosier Priory in Onamia and recently earned his master’s in ministry at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.
“My studies were filled with both the joy of learning and a growing desire for God,” he said.
While he attended Saint John’s, he also served the WOHVn in Faith Area Catholic Community, which includes Holy Cross in Onamia and the parishes in Hillman, Wahkon and Vineland.
The integration of academic learning and practical ministry resonates deeply with the crosier tradition, he said.
After his diaconate ordination, he will be in Onamia until July 1, when he will move to the order’s conventual priory headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. He is scheduled to begin his diaconate in-service in September at St. Agnes Parish there.
“This will be a time of growing in my religious obedience and pastoral discernment,” he said. “As always, I remain open to the discernment of my conventual prior regarding future assignments.”
“During the course of the year, Brother Salama will be formed for Crosier priesthood ministry,” Father Juguilon said. “If and when he is accepted for ordination to the priesthood by the order’s master general, Crosier Father Laurentius Tarpin, we discussed his having his ordination take place in the Congo so that his parents and relatives can be present.”
“If there is anything I’d like people to know about me, it’s my profound gratitude for the support of my Crosier religious community throughout my journey,” Brother Salama said. “The Crosier way of life is not just a solitary path but a shared pilgrimage and I’m blessed to have companions who continue to guide and inspire me.”