Search
-
February 21, 2023By Mary Lim
Fr. Martin Atanga was ordained to the priesthood on July 7, 1991, by most Reverend Rudolph Akanlu, in Ghana. He served the people of Ghana at Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Basilica, at St. Paul’s Parish, and then at St. Anthony’s Parish. He then came on mission to the United States and started his journey serving the Diocese of Tucson at Holy Cross Parish.
Fr. Atanga has had many assignments in the Diocese of Tucson since his arrival, including Our Lady Queen of All Saints, Holy Cross in Morenci, Sacred Heart in Clifton, and St. Mary’s in Duncan. Fr. Atanga is currently assigned as the Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes in Benson.
While studying at Notre Dame Minor Seminary Secondary School in Ghana (this is equivalent to high school), Fr. Atanga had not seriously considered continuing his education at the Major Seminary level, nor did he desire to become a priest at the time. He studied hard and received excellent marks in school with the intention of becoming a pilot. “I wanted to see places and to have the prestige of a pilot,” says Fr. Atanga of that time in his youth.
That all changed one day when Atanga was touched by Bishop Rudolph Akanlu’s homily. Giving all the glory to God, Fr. Atanga said, “the turning point in my life was that faithful day.” Bishop Akanlu talked about Jesus’ words to the crowds regarding having the things of this life, but losing your soul. Paraphrasing Christ’s words to his followers, Bishop Akanlu preached to those gathered for Mass that day, “What profit is it if a person should gain the whole world, and loses his soul?”
Fr. Atanga reflected on his reasons for wanting to pursue becoming a pilot – what would he gain? That day, he gained a new perspective, and he started to realize God’s plan for his life.
Though he didn’t consider the priesthood until that “faithful day,” Fr. Atanga’s grandfather had prayed with him and his siblings throughout his entire youth. Fr. Atanga said that praying the Rosary with his grandfather, witnessing him “petition each time that God should choose some of his grandchildren for religious life,” was one of the first seeds of his vocation.
Fr. Atanga was also greatly influenced by the wonderful priests in his life. He recalls watching and admiring Fr. Augustine Kazaresam (RIP) pray “his Breviary in the mornings after Mass in his cassock.” Another core memory that moved Fr. Atanga toward his vocation was seeing the “tears of most Rev. Rudolph Akanlu on the Feast of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Basilica Parish, as he spoke about the shortage of priests in his diocese at the time and encouraging young people to respond to God’s call.”
Once the call was laid upon his heart, Fr. Atanga began to intentionally discern the priesthood. He says that there were two things that were the most helpful to him in his discernment. The first was his grandfather’s prayers and encouragement – Atanga said that his grandfather “so much desired to see one of his grandsons enter the Seminary, or even become a priest before he dies.”
The second thing that was a huge help in his discernment journey was “Seminarians Day.” Fr. Atanga explained the tradition that was practiced in his home diocese: “On this day, all seminarians gathered in one of the parishes in the diocese for three days, often at the end of their monthly apostolate. During these three days, seminarians have a soccer match with the youth of that parish, they do home visits, and they act in plays inviting the presence of the community. Seminarians Day ended on Sunday, and the seminarians joined the parish community in the Eucharistic celebration. One of the seminarians talks about vocations during the Mass. Seminarians introduce themselves at the end of the Mass to parishioners.”
Fr. Atanga said that Seminarians Day rotated from parish to parish each year, that all who aspired to join the priesthood were invited to Seminarians Day, and that the Vocations Director would stay connected with all who expressed interest in becoming a priest, even holding regular retreats for aspirants.
Fr. Atanga’s favorite part about his vocation to the priesthood is “celebrating the Sacraments with the people of God.” He says it is “the joy that I bring to others through the celebration of the Sacraments” that brings him the most joy.
How blessed we are to have Fr. Atanga ministering in the Diocese of Tucson! Thank you, Fr. Atanga, for your joy and for your vocation.
