Diaconate Ordination in San Antonio for Brother Musonda Chota, OMI of Zambia

San Antonio, TX — The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate joyfully celebrated the Diaconate Ordination of Bro. Musonda Chota, OMI, a native of Mufulira, Zambia, on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The ordination marked a profound milestone in his vocational journey; one deeply intertwined with the Marian feasts that have guided his path since the beginning of formation.

Born and raised in a Catholic family in Zambia, Brother Chota’s vocation began as an altar server following his First Holy Communion in 2008. His early involvement in parish life and youth clubs eventually led him to encounter the Oblates through the late Father Ronald Walker, OMI, who became a pivotal figure in his discernment. After attending “Come and See” programs and completing his high school studies, Brother Chota chose to pursue formation with the Oblates, beginning in 2015.

Reflecting on his journey, Bro. Chota shared that his name carries two meanings— “wisdom of God” and “bravery”—both of which have shaped his path. “Leaving home for the first time to join formation required courage,” he said. “And the wisdom part reminds me that everything I have lived is part of God’s plan.”

His ordination on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception holds special significance. “Mary has always been a model for me,” he explained. “To be ordained on her feast day is both a privilege and a blessing. It is a double celebration—honoring Mary and my call to serve.”

Brother Chota emphasized that being a missionary is not about location but about willingness to be sent. “It means offering myself in oblation to the ministry where God calls me—whether in my own country or beyond,” he said.

Currently completing his final year of theology in San Antonio, Bro. Chota looks ahead to priestly ordination and future ministry, wherever he will be sent. While he feels drawn to education, formation, and chaplaincy, he remains open to wherever the Spirit and his community discern he will flourish.

His religious journey has already taken him from Zambia to Illinois, California, Buffalo, and Texas, living in diverse Oblate communities. Each experience, he noted, has enriched his understanding of fraternal life and ministry. “Community life challenges you to grow as a person and as a missionary,” he reflected. “It invites you to discover your gifts and to reshape your life with ministry in mind.”

The ordination of Bro. Musonda Chota, OMI, stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and the enduring call to serve God’s people.

Writte by Roger Brooks, MAMI USA