“I introduce Father Elton John Letang.”
On hearing these words, a packed Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Newtown erupted in jubilation.
Letang, born in the village of Giraudel, was ordained a Catholic priest by Bishop of Roseau, Most Reverend Gabriel Malzaire, on Thursday evening.
The roar of approval from those who attended the ceremony was probably a fitting tribute for a man who had a career in teaching but always wanted to be a priest. The final act of faith took place after a near fatal accident in 2002 and his fate as a servant of God was sealed.
And so before family, friends, parishioners, well wishers and those who know him, Letang made the solemn vow to be a minister of God on earth for the rest of his life.
The ceremony itself was filled with religious symbolism and tradition. There was the solemn Litany of the Saints during which Letang lay prostrate before the altar, the laying of hands by fellow priests, the annointing of Letang’s hand by Bishop Malzaire and the placing on of his priestly garb (done by his mother and Fr. Peter Hill), also known as the investiture.
Delivering the homily at the mass, Bishop Malzaire paraphrased Archbishop Fulton Sheen who gave a speech over twenty years ago on the priest in the modern age.
“Years ago every priest was a gentleman, that was what was expected of him, every priest was respected, that was a given,” he said. “Today, the archbishop said, this is not the case. Today he must earn that respect.”
He noted that although there still is a certain sense of awe among faithful Catholics towards the priesthood “it is also true that the de facto reverence that has been attached to the ministry has shifted and is shifting.”
He told the young priest that he should not depend solely on the trust and the de facto respect he might receive as a priest. “But make sure that you work,” he stated.
The Bishop told Letang that as a priest, he should have a deep reverence for the body and blood of Christ and he should entertain a sense of wariness when life becomes too comfortable. “The task of saving souls in a daunting one,” he said. “Jesus never promised a rose garden without thorns and therefore your ability to handle the thorns will determine the stuff you are made of.”
Letang was told that he should always be a happy priest. “Let the people of God find in you a happy priest,” Bishop Malzaire remarked. “Joy is contagious ….so therefore I say to you, let the joy of the Lord be your strength.”
Letang is the fourth of seven children. Before joining religious life, he taught at various institutions including the Newtown Primary School and the Roseau Boys School. After the accident in 2002, he joined a religious order called the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists.
He studied philosophy at St. John’s University and Theology at Boston College.
Letang will leave Dominica soon to continue his ministry in Trinidad where he has been working as a deacon.
Sorry I don’t think you have enough pictures here can you put more up?
I am so happy for the letang family,congratulation father letang.am so proud of u.go out and save souls.gods blessings upon u.u make your family and giraudel proud
Thanks to you I saw faces I haven’t seen in half my life was so nice
its only fair to add to the many congrats you got Is your season and your calling may you harvest fishers of men for the kingdom and keep the rep of Giraudel clean
Congratulations. Man that was my old teach!!
so proud of him. i’m happy u listened to God’s call. Hope u enjoy it. NEVER TURN BACK.
Congrats teach, way to live your dream. All the best
Congratulations dear friend. May God continue to shower you with His blessings.
All praises are due to almighty god Father Elton was chosen by God let’s just continue to pray for him, and while we do let’s take time and ask the almighty for guidance because things can’t get better unless we try to better ourselves it’s time for Zura we all just have to keep praying to the same god. Congrats Elty.
Elton, on behalf of the people of Giraudel, I say may God continue to guide you onto the path which you have chosen–God’s Will be done.
Remember the Bishops words to you! You should want to be respected, but respect is not granted in these days it has to be earned.
Don’t forget that earing respect is the hardest job a person will ever do–nonetheless when you know that you have earned it–give God the glory; it does not belong to you, because without Holy Spirit in your Life, you can do nothing!
I am shore that you have made your mom a proud mother, continue in your ways young man.
Too bad that you are going all the way to Trinidad to do the work which God has assigned to you. I hope that by that time I return to Dominica you will be the priest that stands on our pulpit at our Church in Giraudel. Blessings!
As one who renounced her Catholic Faith and has projected on many occasions, past and present on this Website that you are an enemy of the Catholic Church, you speak of “our pulpit” and then you criticize and denounce the Catholic devotions to The Mother of God.
As faith cannot be changed like clothes, we cannot pick and choose what we wish on matters of the Catholic Faith and its devotions; likewise Holy Scripture. It is hypocritical of you to do so.
Solution: They should look into Islam, look at the concept of Allah, prophethood, salvation etc which are crucial with an open mind. They should study the Holy Qur’an with a sincere heart. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “Any Jew or Christian who hears of me yet rejects my message, let him take his seat in the hell fire. ”@Muslim Always June 7, 2013
I will not say that the Roman Catholic Church is not extremely different from other Christian Churches-and so, you have one or two points about that.
The biggest difference is the canonizing of human being like themselves to the point of worshiping those dead people–for example Mary, Jesus’ mother
The reason that Church is the ways it is, is because they practice too much of religion–which are the rules and regulations set forth the human wisdom and understanding; which was from the very beginning with Jews right up to the days when Jesus walked they earth.
In other words the Catholic Church leaves out the fact that the regular people, who gather in the Church House must represent the Spiritual Body of Jesus Christ–He is the head by the Power of Holy Spirit. And its place the try to go around doing good works; but good works are not always God’s work–He who is of Spirit and Truth.
That is the reason, we hear the prophet Isaiah saying by God’s Spirit in him: “This people honor Me with their lips but their heart is far fro Me. And in vain they worship Me teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” Jesus repeated that same Scripture in the Gospels
Religion was the primary reason the Jews plotted to kill Jesus, because He would not follow their religious rules and laws, which made self righteous people–self righteousness is a sin before God Almighty
Nonetheless you are not any different from the Catholic Church, because you are also practicing religion–it would seem quite clear that Mohamed is the god you follow–you do not know the God of Love in Spirit and in Truth
Jesus is the only means of Salvation and Reconciliation in us, that we stand before the Holy God with perfection and completeness that is acceptable to Him He has told us “I am the Way the Truth and the Life”
Jesus also said that Eternal Life can only come by the knowledge of God and Him who is the Son in the Flesh.
We can only acquire that knowledge of God and Jesus Christ through a personal relationship with God and fellowship in His presence with the Church family which He has given to us.
God is of Spirit, and He wants us to deal with by faith and through the connection of His Holy Spirit.
Jesus denounced the religious practice of His own people–who we the Israelites–because He wanted to teach them that faith was the Channel between God and man. For without Faith we cannot please God, but faith belong in the Spirit–not in the flesh.
To Lizavier4Jesus
Since you are quick to find solutions and show dislikes,why don’t you start your own religion.You know, it is so much easier to suggest solutions when you don’t know too much about the problem.
What makes you think that your solutions and dislikes are worthy.Why don’t you do a self analysis of your beliefs.Why are you using your beliefs to make judgements on other peoples religion as to what to you think they should do and believe.What makes you think you are correct.It is so funny when you say that you do not practice religion,you a such a confused person.
@Gary June 9, 2013
You dead fool! Read the passage below and you will notice that I quoted Muslim Always as I responded to his post.
Solution: They should look into Islam, look at the concept of Allah, prophet hood, salvation etc. which are crucial with an open mind. They should study the Holy Qur’an with a sincere heart. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “Any Jew or Christian who hears of me yet rejects my message, let him take his seat in the hell fire. ”@Muslim Always June 7, 2013
You stupid, empty, and dead numbskull! Why won’t you leave people’s comment alone; as remain as dead as you are in your existence of darkness.
Here is your comment against Muslim always, just as you came up against mine in response to him.
Gary June 7, 2013
To Muslim_Always
Why are you so arrogant.When you think that your religion is the only true path you are forever chaining yourself to judging others and narrow the vision of God. Why are you certain that your religion possess the truth, certainty that you posses the truth can make you a cruel person is this how your religion has indoctrinated you to be.
You are not only trapped in darkness and as dead as sleeping! You are also a restless ghost who can do nothing better than to go around in your quest to disturb those of us who are alive and living in the Light.
It is time for you to realize that light wants nothing to do with darkness; neither does Life wants anything to do with death.
I suggest that you go back to your dark tomb of death and stay there. You do not belong in the Light of Life, for that state in incomprehensive to that carnal mind of yours. Just leave my comments alone–will you?
The Catholic Church was instituted by Our Lord Jesus Christ, unlike other religions that were formed down through the ages to today, by man for various reasons.
What are you saying, compromising your faith for Islam and comparing it to Islam? You have much to learn. I hope you are not taking medication which dulls the mind and senses which cause those who use them to speak foolishness and in futility.
When are you going to admit that Our Lord Jesus Christ formed His Church 2000 years ago when He was on earth, saying to Peter: “Thou art Peter and upon this Rock I will build My Church…”?
Do you not have common sense? Islam was formed by Mohammed, a sinful man, their leader whom they still worship; not by our holy and pure God of love and peace, the Creator of Heaven and earth as they should. Islam is by no means compared to the Catholic Church and vice versa.
The Catholic Church is The Christian Church that Our Lord established on this earth. I always say that Our Lord did not leave us a mess and mass confusion as it is today. Prior to his Passion, Crucifixion and Death, He prayed that we might be one. He said, “My peace I give to you. My peace I leave with you, not as the world gives do I give to you.”
Sadly, some members of humanity have renounced it and formed their own church. Consider the numerous churches which have been formed down through the ages. Surely, they do not please Our Lord Jesus Christ. The sensible should know that souls will never enter Heaven with divisions, lack of love, peace and unity. This is what those churches have brought on earth, i.e., those who have formed their church and convinced some Catholics that their new-found church is the church and the best and they should leave the Catholic Church to join theirs.
They go so far to say that the Catholic members are not Christians; are not Christo-centered and we do not love God (the latter I read on DNO) and criticize our devotions to Our Lord Jesus Christ and also to the Mother of God. They are instigators and stir up trouble and lack love and respect for Catholics and their religious practices. These are non-Christian acts.
If Catholics did not love God we would not be celebrating the Holy Mass which contains Our Lord Life, Passion, Crucifixion and Death. Read a Holy Mass Sunday and weekly missal and this should confirm it. When you attend a Catholic wedding and funeral, you should be aware of that. Are you blind, deaf, sleeping and oblivious to this, specifically some of you who were once practicing Catholics? I feel sorry for you.
I know better which is why I continue to be a Catholic Christian, to stand up for it, defend it and inform others about it. I am no hypocrite in the Faith. I also have books and other information also some of the messages of the Mother of God, Our Lady as we Catholics lovingly refer to her, to the visionaries which are messages for the entire world – all God’s created children. Thanks be to God.
You know what? When I commence writing about religious matters as also Our Lady, I could go on and on. This is obviously due to her as I do my utmost to spread the fact that God wants her to be honored. I also have such information. I am happy to inform you, thanks be to God and to our Blessed Mother and Lady, the Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Our God.
God does not call the qualified. He qualifies The Call.
@Justice and Truth June 10, 2013 “I know better which is why I continue to be a Catholic Christian, to stand up for it, defend it and inform others about it. I am no hypocrite in the Faith”
In the first place you demonstrate your mind-shape of Spiritual ignorance by referring to the Church as an “it”.
This tells that you have no understanding that the Church is the people, who are the disciples of Jesus Christ–knowing that His Word is our Life– and He is preparing that Church to present to Himself as a Bride is presented to her Bridegroom.
As you talk about “Catholic Faith” here is what God says about the churches like yours: “This people honor Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me and in vain they worship Me speaking as doctrines the commandments of men”. This scripture is spoken at Isaiah 29: 13 by God Almighty Himself and Jesus repeated it in the Gospels.
Those words are directed to all the religious rules of the Roman Catholic Church or any Church who practice religion in their group for that matter. What is the Catholic faith, if it is not the “faith of the Spirit” that God uses to direct His message of Life as He connects to us by the Power of Holy Spirit?
I thank God for the day He removed me from the direction of the Roman Catholic Church, today I would not have a testimony of Holy Spirit, who now lives in me. It is by His words that I speak–there is nothing you or no one else can do about that. For you are guided by the god of this world who is mischievously keeping you barren in the darkness of your mind, not having the production of Life, which comes from God in you.
I do not even have the control against what I convey, for it is not I that live but Christ Jesus who lives in me, and by the Power of His Holy Spirit He speaks through me.
And now I am suggesting that you stop beating yourself against my posts–you have no benefit in doing so.
And one ore thing! You are as stupid and dead as your friend Gary. Neither of you were able to understand that I was speaking to the commentator who is “Muslim Always”
As a matter of fact that was what I was showing him as he criticized the Catholic Church–even to try to give the solution–that his Muslim teachings are not different from the Catholic Church of yours, for you both are grounded in religious doctrines of men–which are not of God–who is of Love in Spirit and in Truth.
But how can a numbskull like you and your friend Gary read and understand my message–you both belong in the darkness of death; I live in the Light of Life. Sorry but you are asking for it–I am sick of your stupidity, and you must know it.
How can you believe that I have nothing to do with Islam–which was founded by a human being, as it people base their faith in a Book, not in the Living God of Love in Spirit, Truth, and Holiness? How foolish can you be!
Congratulations Father Elton Letang. Heaven was obviously rejoicing especially when Bishop Malzaire introduced you, as an ordained Priest to the congregation and the Catholic Church on a whole, as they burst out in applause.
How it pleases the Lord that one of his children are now a full-fledged Priest, ready to serve Him and His Church, come what may.
Father Letang you know that the Blessed Trinity will always be with you and will never forsake you as He said: “I will never forsake you My people. I have carved you in the palm of my hand…”
My wishes and prayers to you on this blessed day of your ordination. May all Catholics as I pray for you and for other priests. This is one of our obligations as Catholic Christians.
By no means least, your family must be extremely proud of you. It is said that a priest in the family brings blessing upon all and that family of priests will obtain eternal salvation. Why? Because daily and nightly whenever they celebrate the Holy Mass they also pray for their family.
I had the opportunity of attending a few priestly ordinations in Toronto and also attended the first Holy Mass of three of them in the parish where I reside. What blessed days they were. On different Sundays they celebrated Holy Mass, a reception was held for them that the parishioners would personally meet them. They blest us individually. I congratulated them and wished them God’s blessing.
It is said that those who receive the first blessing of the priest are truly blest for it is a special blessing. When they bless us we know that this blessing comes from God through them and He blesses us from above.
God loves His Church and His Priests. The Mother of God, The Ever Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church loves Her Priests. She also prays for them as she prays for each and every one of us, God’s created children whom she also loves.
I love My Catholic Church and I love our Priests. I have great respect for them as God’s consecrated Priests.
God bless you Father Letang and with long life. God bless all Bishops and Priests.
Praise be to the Blessed Trinity who gives us Priests. You will ensure that Your Catholic Church will never be without Priests for You are in control.
There is a lot of good to say about our good Priests and there are many of them throughout the world.
Praise to You Lord, King of Eternal Glory.
Priest even lie down flat on the floor!!! Boy, dem priest have talala.
Congrats my boy
Fr. Elton may you be bless in you priesthood. we have been journeying together and this we both accepted the order of the priesthood, to God be the glory, so pray for me as I do the same for you in ministry. congrats father Elty
congrats. im not hypocrite. but he sure is handsome.
Congrats cuz…may the good Lord, continue to guide u on your chosen path!
Muslim, Christian, Bahai, Buddhist, etc. All paths lead to one true God. Be respectful of the different ways in which people choose to serve God. Elton, I wish you all the congratulations and honor upon this God-ordained occasion. I love you and the God that’s in you! God bless you! Go! Serve!
All lead to God as some say but some take a different path, have different beliefs/ ideologies which do not please God, are far away from his teaching and do not reflect his teaching. They are not to be compared with Christianity and are not one and the same with Christianity. Many deceive themselves otherwise. The only path is through Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who lived, taught, suffered and died for us. It is absolutely necessary to believe in Him and worship Him if we hope to please God and to obtain eternal salvation. He is The Truth, The Way and The Light.
A few words of the beautiful theme song when the late Blessed (Pope) John Paul II, visited Toronto for the World Youth Day:
Light Of The World
The Light of the world, the salt of the earth, we scatter the darkness when love becomes our way;
The light of the world, Christ is our Light
We shine with his brightness, a reflection of his light from day to day.
This should tell us which is the only true faith.
Congratulations, and God’s blessings throughout. Allow God to use you and may you be susceptible to his will always.
Congrats Father Letang go out and win souls for the kingdom of God
To God be the Glory…God Bless the Roman catholic Church!
We are all called to a life! You chose yours. Seek out Yahweh and let him guide you.
“Muslim-Always” you of all people should be ashamed of yourself. After all the murders and atrocities you all commit and condone in the name of “Allah” you are not fit to enter any religious discuss. I am not Catholic myself, but will not condemn anyone who is trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. You people are like poison to the earth.
stop being ignorant go read
@ muslim always
as someone who claims to be a man of god you should know better and accept that other people have different beliefs and that you should not bring down other peoples religion because you think yours is better.
Congrats elton
Another lost soul unless Allah guides him. This people believe in a triune god, a progeny of god, invocation of saints believing these saints can help them, the invocation of the Mary the mother of Jesus (peace be upon her). Sadly, this church is filled with polytheism in their worship.
Second problem Priests, deacons and bishops should be allowed to get married. Here what their book says. “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach. . . . Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.” Timothy 3:2.
When one looks at the Catholic Church one with basic common sense will see that these people are far far away from the teachings of the Most High.
Solution: They should look into Islam, look at the concept of Allah, prophethood, salvation etc which are crucial with an open mind. They should study the Holy Qur’an with a sincere heart. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “Any Jew or Christian who hears of me yet rejects my message, let him take his seat in the hell fire.”
man keep your comment to yourself. respect our church eh. I respect your muslim tradition because you all against that homo nastiness too but don’t mess with our religion
This is not about religion, this is about polytheism and statues in the catholic church.
Muslim i must say i find ur comments to always be so bashful…Religion is religion i dont see why the fussle and fight we are in another century, live up to it. respect is given where its earned….i doubt the catholic church be giving up on you and your religion….You have your teaches, customs and traditions which you follow we respect that…it wont kill you to respect ours. Peace be to you bro….and on that note i say Congratulations to Father Elton John Letang….your journey has just began, for alot like our brother Muslim will be there to try to put you down. But their is a God
why is it so difficult for muslims to respect other religions? You are not the only people on earth. Please live and let live. If you practise this basic principle of life, maybe all this senseless killings and terror will stop!
To Muslim_Always
Why are you so arrogant.When you think that your religion is the only true path you are forever chaining yourself to judging others and narrow the vision of God.Why are you certain that your religion possess the truth,certainty that you posses the truth can make you a cruel person is this how your religion has indoctrinated you to be.
@ muslim always:
Pakistan is calling,…. they need new recruits
The person who hides their true identity under the name “muslim-always”, is just a sick, pathetic individual looking for attention. get out DNO.
Most people who post comments on DNO hide their identity. Is your name American? Everyone is entitled to his views. Muslim has a right to post his comments just as everyone else has. The Catholic church with its worship of saints and the veneration of Mary, as well as many other pagan institutions introduced by Constantine in the 4th Century, is leading the masses (no pun intended) wrong, wrong, wrong.
Congratulations Father Elton Letang. I pray for you and you do the same for me and my family. Past student of yours at Convent Prep. Take your teaching skills to the pulpit and you will succeed. May God bless you tremendously. “Lord place a hedge of protection around him right now. Allow him to be a true shepherd of the flock and may his desire be at this time to win souls for the kingdom of God. Amen
I really do not expect anything less from a ‘person’ who follows islam-a religion that clearly believes that a woman’s paradise is under her husband’s foot and that there are virgins waiting in heaven. You live all your life on earth just to die to go to heaven to meet virgins??? Something is clearly wrong with you. You have no respect for other religions. don’t come on here and spread your nonsense because nobody cares to hear about your ‘religion of peace’. You people anger God and believe you me, he will soon be ready for you all.
In other news, Congratulations Father Letang. I wish you all the best. Continue to look to God and he will guide you farther than he already has.
Peace.
As for you Muslim always your faith was started 600 yrs after Christianity go learn your history you sick pathetic Individual ….. you think sacrificing yourself will get you to heaven keep thinking so you will stew in hell and stay there but to each his own bias dumb arrogant fool
Having said all I agree with Muslim_Always in the second paragraph. What he quotes is what the bible states about being a bishop … the husband of one woman. Yes instead of criticising pick out the good part and say it is good or true.
Read your bible more and not the designated areas at … read all parts and eyes will be open.. True this young man shsould be allowed to be married to one wife and not commanded as the Roman Vatican has done. Who wants to remain celibate should choose to do so and not forced. Just saying.
what has this world come to. stuppesss. we respect ur religion and beliefs so why not resect ours. I think u should have kept ur none cents for ur self. This is sooo disrespectfull.
congratulations Elton
Congrats Fr. Elton, may the good Lord guide and inspire you on your journey. From your Castle Comfort family. Love you always
He has called you by name! You are His child. Congratulations Elton. Allow God to always guide and direct your path.
Fr. Letang, I thank God for you, may his Holy Spirit continue to guide,protect and inspire you, may his Precious Blood surround you as a hedge of protection to keep the devil far away from you so that you will do his work here on earth with honesty, sincerity and integrity.
God Bless
congrats elton..May God give you strength to gather his flock
God Bless you Elton!
Well done EL-T…sorry… Father Letang…May Our Good Lord Continue to Guide and Inspire you…Would have been nice if you were staying with us anyway Make sure you come and pray for me before you return to Trini. God Bless!!
Congratulations to Fr. Letang. Well done, continue to be a child of God and may he continue to inspire and encourage you on your journey with him. You have every reason to be proud and you will forever have my suppoert. Love you always
Congratulations Father Letang continue to walk in the light of the Lord, and be a true Shepard for the people.
Fr. Elton Letang congrats to you. You are surrounded by people who love and support you. Cant wait for your first mass!
So misled! The sacrifice of Christ has been done and dusted! No need for the mass. Worship God. No mediator is needed!
Congratulations Cousin. Let God guide your path. One Love.
Elty – so happy and proud of you! Good journey my friend