By Wilfred Lawrence D’Souza
MONROVIA, AUGUST 14, 2025 (CISA) -The Knights and Ladies of Marshall in Liberia celebrated a significant milestone over the weekend with the formal installation of their 5th State Administration. The landmark event, hosted at Council 145 and Court 142 at Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Parish in Monrovia, ushered in a new era of leadership for the Catholic friendly fraternal organization.
The installation ceremony was graced by a distinguished delegation from Ghana, including the Supreme Knight of the Order, the Grand Lady, a Past Supreme Knight, and other senior officials. Their participation underscored the regional importance of the occasion and the Order’s strong fraternal ties across West Africa.
Worthy Brother S. Clarence Borbordee of Council 145 was installed as the 5th State Grand Knight. A dedicated Salesian Cooperator from the West Africa South Province (AOS) and a prominent figure within the Catholic Church in Monrovia’s Archdiocese, Borbordee brings extensive experience from his roles on the parish pastoral council and as Chairman of the finance committee. Additionally, he is an active member of the Archdiocesan choir and the host parish of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco Missionaries. His elevation marks a historic milestone, as he becomes the first from the Salesian family to hold this prestigious position.
Installed alongside him was Respected Lady Sis Queenie Daramy of Court 28 as State Noble Lady, the top female leadership positions within the Order in Liberia. Elections also ushered in Worthy Brother Cllr. Morris Davis of Council 49 as Deputy State Grand Knight, and Respected Lady Sister Etta Nyankoon of Court 50 as Deputy State Noble Lady. In total, 34 officers each were appointed to the new State Committee for the Knights of Marshall and Ladies of Marshall, with mandates to advance the mission and values of the Noble Order throughout Liberia. The installation also saw Past State Grand Knight, Worthy Brother Emmanuel S. Siafa Sr. of Council 131, honored with the highest title of Sir Knight and elevated to Immediate Past State Grand Knight and Past Supreme Knight.
The celebration continued with a Solemn Thanksgiving Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. McDonald Nah, Vicar for Priests, representing His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Blamo Snosio Jubwe, Archbishop of Monrovia. Adding special significance to the liturgy, Rev. Fr. Victor Sonkarley, the Assistant State Chaplain serving in the diocese of Gbarnga, Rev. Fr. Jason Shar and Rev. Fr. Christopher Harmon from the diocese of Cape Palmas, all 3 proud members of the Marshallan family concelebrated the Mass alongside Rev. Fr. Kpen-Ana Peter Kwaku SDB, the Provincial Councillor of the West Africa South Province and Rector of Salesian Mission in Liberia, who is also the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church in Monrovia.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Nah emphasized that true leadership is rooted in service, humility, and faith. He urged the newly installed officers to “lead with generosity and spiritual responsibility, upholding enduring values such as justice, charity, and unity,” while embodying Christ in their actions. Thanking outgoing leaders for their sacrifices, he encouraged all members to “lead with wisdom and spiritual fruitfulness,” ensuring the noble order’s legacy continues as a genuine service to both the church and the wider community.
The liturgical celebration was enriched by the combined voices of the Archdiocesan Mass Choir and St. Cecilia Choir, creating a spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The Catholic religious organizational heads, nuns and religious from various congregations, civic dignitaries, few religious leaders, and parishioners gathered in large numbers to witness this historic transition.
Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Peter Kwaku SDB, the parish priest and Rector of the Salesian Missions in Liberia, thanking the priests, the Knights and everyone assembled expressed his joy “Today is a great day not only for the Knights and Ladies of Marshall but also for our Parish and the entire Salesian family. Brother Borbordee’s elevation as State Grand Knight is a historic moment for us all” he said, highlighting the achievement of the new State Grand Knight as the first from the Salesian family to hold this position.
In his response, Worthy Brother S. Clarence Borbordee expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Salesians and Knights of Marshall for the honor and pledged his commitment to the mission of the Noble order. “This moment is deeply humbling. I stand on the shoulders of many who have served faithfully before me,” he said. “With God’s help, I will serve with integrity, unity, and a renewed spirit of dedication to our Church, our communities, and the values we hold as Knights and Ladies of Marshall.”
Also addressing the gathering was the 35th Supreme Knight of the Knights of Marshall, Sir Knight Brother Richard Ayih-Akakpo, the highest ranking official of the Noble Order, making his first ever visit to Liberia. He commended the Marshallans in Liberia for their dedication and urged them to remain steadfast in service. “The field is wide,” he said, exhorting members to rise and labor in the Lord’s vineyard.
Following the liturgical celebration, members of the Noble Order, embarked on a 6 kilometer celebratory parade through the streets of Monrovia, led by the Jr. Marshallan Band, ending in a festive celebration at Stella Maris Polytechnic campus with traditional Liberian cuisine and musical entertainment. A brief but symbolic rainfall during the celebration was received as a sign of divine blessing. Many attendees interpreted the showers as a spiritual endorsement of the new leadership. “There shall be showers of blessings,” many remarked, echoing the mood of gratitude and joy that defined the day.
The day’s program was skillfully compered by State Communication Officer Kt. Bro. Raymond Zaybay and Respected Regional Noble Lady for Monrvia Sis. Scholastica Nyenkan Nimley. The celebration concluded with a heartfelt thanksgiving prayer led by State Chaplain Rev. Fr. Godfrey Nemah of the Diocese of Cape Palmas.
As the Knights and Ladies of Marshall enter this new chapter of leadership in Liberia, the tone was set for renewed commitment to service, fraternity, and faith both within the Church and throughout society.
About Knights and Ladies of Marshall
The Knights and Ladies of Marshall is a Catholic fraternal organization founded in Ghana in 1926, inspired by the principles of unity, charity, and service. Named after Sir James Marshall, a British jurist who played a key role in promoting the faith in West Africa, the Order is dedicated to the spiritual growth of its members and active support of the Church’s mission. With councils and courts in U.K and across several West African countries, including Liberia, the organization plays a vital role in Catholic lay leadership, community development, and charitable works.
Wilfred Lawrence D’Souza is a Salesian Cooperator in the AOS Province and serves as the Communication Officer for Council 145 of the Knights of Marshall in Liberia.
