Fr. Giresse-Mecene Etung, SVD
Let It Be Done
One Missionary’s Path of Formation and Faith
Before he was ever called “Father,” he was simply a seminarian walking the streets of Kinshasa—sharing meals with children who had no homes, sleeping where they slept, and listening to stories marked by pain and survival. It was there, among the most vulnerable, that his understanding of missionary life began to take shape—not as something learned in books, but lived in relationship.
Now serving in the U.S. Western Province, Fr. Giresse-Mecene Etung, SVD is living a missionary journey that spans continents and cultures, shaped by unexpected detours and deepening trust in God’s call. From early formation in Congo, Ghana, and Chicago to his ministry today in Arizona, his life reflects the heart of missionary service: going where one is needed, adapting to each new environment, and offering presence more than perfection.
Where the Journey Began
His first missionary experience with the Society of the Divine Word was deeply formative. During his early formation in Kinshasa, he spent a summer living among “street children,” many of whom had been cast out by their families and forced to survive on their own. He listened to their stories and saw firsthand the deep wounds that shaped their lives.
Later, he returned to this ministry during weekends for an entire year, continuing to build relationships with children who trusted very few people. “These children believe in what they see, not what they hear,” he reflected. “I learned that actions speak louder than words.” It was a lesson that transcended that particular ministry and stayed with him in every stage of his journey.
His formation took him from Congo to Ghana and eventually to Chicago. Each environment posed new challenges, but also new opportunities to grow. In Ghana, a prefect frequently reminded the seminarians, “Through training, easy battle.” At the time, it seemed like just another phrase—but over time, the truth behind it became clear.
An Unexpected Turn
Following ordination in July 2022, Fr. Giresse hoped to begin missionary work in Chile. However, persistent visa delays stalled that plan. He was not alone—several other confreres from countries like Ghana and Vietnam were in similar situations. Eventually, the Superior General invited them to submit new mission requests.
He was reassigned to the U.S. Western Province—a turn he hadn’t anticipated, but one he embraced with both happiness and relief. For more than a year after his ordination, he had no official assignment. He lived in community and assisted wherever needed, waiting for a place to fully begin his priestly ministry.
Ministry in Motion
That place turned out to be the southwestern United States. After arriving in California in December 2024, his initial assignment with Wordnet Productions, a television company owned by Divine Word Missionaries, shifted quickly. By January, he was sent to Prescott, Arizona, to assist at Sacred Heart Parish while the parochial vicar was on leave. From there, he returned briefly to California, only to be sent the next day to St. Augustine Parish in Phoenix. He remained there through Lent before assisting again—this time at St. Anthony Parish and with the Ministerio Bíblico Verbo Divino.
Coming from a background where church participation is often visibly strong—particularly in places like Ghana and Congo—Fr. Giresse expected to find a more reserved faith community in the U.S. His earlier time in Chicago had prepared him for that.
But what he found in Arizona surprised him.
At St. Augustine Parish, there were 15 liturgies and services on Ash Wednesday—and all of them were full. He witnessed an overwhelming response to the sacraments, with numerous people coming forward for Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. “It was the first time in my life I witnessed such vibrant participation,” he said.
Crossing Cultural and Linguistic Boundaries
Even amid this energy, there were challenges—especially around communication. In his experience, many Americans tend to mask their true feelings. “Someone may be smiling at you,” he said, “but inwardly they may be unhappy—either with you or with something you’ve said or done.” This emotional subtlety has been one of the more difficult aspects of adapting to ministry in the U.S.
At the same time, he has embraced learning Spanish. With French already in his background, he found similarities that made the process less intimidating. Today, he celebrates Mass in Spanish—usually with prepared homilies—and continues building his confidence in the language with each new encounter.
“I came to realize that being a missionary priest is not primarily about mastering philosophy, theology, or other disciplines—it is about sharing in the lives and feelings of the people around me.”
Looking Ahead with a Missionary Heart
Even as he continues to grow into his current role, Fr. Giresse’s heart remains open to the future. He has long felt a passion for teaching, especially in multicultural settings where faith can be shared across boundaries. But for now, he’s focused on gaining solid pastoral experience—learning from people, walking with them, and listening closely.
At the center of his life is a quiet, steady trust in God’s will. Time and again, his own plans have been rerouted—but the path he’s been given has always led somewhere meaningful. His ordination motto, “Let it be done to me according to your will,” from Luke 1:38, continues to guide him through uncertainty and change.
He often thinks of the young people who’ve shared their own vocational doubts with him—those who feel a call but question whether they’re ready or worthy. To them, he offers the same truth that he’s come to believe so deeply: God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called.
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