Deacon Mmuoh’s journey goes from ‘playing Mass’ to celebrating the Eucharist

Note: Archbishop William E. Lori will ordain eight men to the priesthood June 24 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland. The following is a profile of one of those future priests. New profiles of the other new priests will be added to the Catholic Review site daily from June 15 to June 22. Click here to read them.

Deacon Felix E. Mmuoh was about 10 when he told his mother he wanted to be a priest. But his mom, who was very faithful to her faith, probably wasn’t surprised.

When he was around 8 or 9, he “played Mass” sometimes, with his sisters, using cookies and soft drinks. The family went to Mass weekends and sometimes during the week. 

“I was able to see what’s going on in church almost every time, people coming together to pray, to socialize with others, to do some of the works in church,” the 31-year-old native of Ufuma, Anamabra State, Nigeria, said in an interview about two months in advance of his ordination to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

The way the people of the parish volunteered and lived their lives inspired the young man. Also, seeing the parish priests celebrating Mass, consecrating the Eucharist as the Body of Christ left a big impression on him.

“I also joined some of the pious societies, such as Legion of Mary and altar servers,” Deacon Mmuoh said. Once he took the entrance exam to seminary, “I have found joy, studying and desiring to be a priest. I’m excited that is coming to fruition.”

Deacon Mmuoh’s family – parents, brother and three sisters – won’t be able to come from Nigeria for his ordination, because they were unable to get an appointment for a visa at the U.S. embassy. His mother is retired, but his father is still farming. They will be able to watch the ordination via livestream from the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

One of the things he likes best about the Archdiocese of Baltimore is the nice people he has met here, who have become like a family to him. “Though my family are not here, I didn’t feel it that much because of the love and the kindness I get from people,” he said. “I see also people who love their faith, who care for others. (I want to be) always available and listen to people to guide people and to help people. I’m really blessed to be here in the archdiocese.”

His pastoral experiences in Essex, Ijamsville and Westminster all have helped him prepare for life in a rectory and in a parish.

Deacon Mmuoh embraced serving at the soup kitchen and food pantry at St. Clare in Essex and serving the homebound in parishes. Especially during the height of the pandemic, when lay eucharistic ministers could not visit the sick, “I found a lot of joy being able to visit these people at the time they most need the Eucharist. It was really a gift and a grace that I cherished.”

It was also good to be at the parish as people started returning to church, he said, as well as working with the vibrant young adult ministry in Westminster.

He also enjoyed playing soccer and visiting the school children at St. John  in Westminster. “The amount of joy in them inspires me all the time whenever I go there,” Deacon Mmuoh said.

His hobbies include playing tennis and singing. “I love singing and music.” During his diaconate, he asked the pastor if he could incorporate his singing into the Mass. “I told my pastor I would love to do this, so I’m glad he allowed me to do that.”

Email Christopher Gunty at editor@catholicreview.org.

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