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St. Francis Prayer
Most High, glorious God,
enlighten the shadows of my heart,
and grant unto me a right faith,
a certain hope and perfect charity,
sense and understanding, Lord,
so that I may accomplish
Thy holy and true command.
► ► News from the Vatican Radio
Tip of the day
2017: Dar es Salaam, 3rd Ordinary Custodial Chapter
A first part of the 3rd Ordinary Custodial Chapter was celebrated on September 4-8 in the friary in Dar es Salaam. The
Custodial Chapter was presided over by the provincial minister fr. Wiesław Pyzio, in the presence of general assistant, fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski, and the general secretary for education, fr. Louis Panthiruvelil, who led the spiritual
conference before the Chapter. From September 7-8, the new Custodial Government was formed, consisting of custos, fr. Dariusz Szymborski, the vicar custos and custodial secretary, fr. Benson Mapunda, the custodial econom, fr. Mieczysław
Bednarczyk, the custodial exactor, fr. Jerome Munishi, and custodial definitor, fr. Laurian Lasway.
Second part of the Chapter began on September 11, 2017. At that time, the capitulars discussed and made some decisions about the life and apostolate of the custody for the next four years. The custody currently has 33 friars distributed among four friaries. It has 17 friars in solemn vows, (10 of whom are Tanzanians), 16 friars in temporary vows, 3 novices and 10 postulants.
* The election of the custos and the new custodial government
* Profession of Faith and Obedience of the new custos, fr. Dariusz Szymborski
2016: Mwanga, new Shrine of Divine Mercy
On Sunday, 20 November 2016, the custody of St. Maximilian in Tanzania, celebrated
the inauguration of the new Shrine of Divine Mercy in Mwanga. It coincided with the closing of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Shrine was built over a three-year period under the supervision of the friars from Mwanga with the help of the custody and some local
christians. The celebration and the blessing of the new church were presided by the Rev. Rogatus Kimaryo, bishop of Same. In the Holy Mass also took part fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski (Assistant General for AFCOF), the friars from all the communities of the custody,
some theology students from Nairobi (Kenya) and the local Christians.
During the same celebration, two friars from the custody (fr. Dennis Kunambi and fr. Simon Kessi) professed their solemn vows into the hands of their provincial custos, fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz. After the liturgy, everybody took part in a festive lunch party, which was enriched by dance performances of children and adults.
* Mwanga 2016: Dennis Kunambi i Simon Kessi – 2 newly professed (photo)
* photo-gallery: The cross’ peregrination to the sanctuary in Mwanga
2016, novitiate in Arusha (Poli): The religious events
On 26 July 2016, the novices of East Africa made
their first religious profession at the novitiate in Arusha (Poli Singhisi). The newly professed are: fr. Augustine Kaddu, Nicholas Lada, Paul Mutaasa and Edward Kironde of Uganda; fr. Boniphace Mutuku and Vincent Otieno of Kenya; and fr. Robert
Msalila of Tanzania. The professions were made in the hands of the provincial custodes: fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz (Tanzania), fr. Kazimierz Szulc (Kenya) and the provincial delegate of Uganda, fr. Wojciech Ulman.
The new group of ten novices of East Africa celebrated the rite of vesting on Monday (25 July, 2016). The new novices are: Peter Mhina, Benedict Msoffe, Laurent Tarmo and Simon Shimbe of Tanzania; Samuel Wekesa, Samuel Muvea and Remmy Mukhwana of Kenya; and Alfred Kimera, Ronnie Kibagajjo and Patrick Musoke of Uganda.
* new
novices and newly professed (common photo)...
* franciscan formation (AFCOF) houses in Africa
2015, Moshi: New friar priests in the Custody
9 July 2015, our Provincial Custody was overjoyed to see two of its friars ordained to the priesthood - Benson Mapunda and
Valence Kisaka. The ordination took place in the Cathedral of Moshi, not far from our friaries in Arusha and Mwanga. The
presider was the Reverend Isaac Amani, Bishop of the Diocese of Moshi.
These two friars did their initial formation in Tanzania (postulancy and novitiate), Zambia (Philosophy) and Kenya (Theology), in accord with the common formation agreement of the African Federation of Conventual Franciscans (AFCOF). Currently there are sixteen solemnly professed friars affiliated to the Custody of Tanzania: nine are Polish and seven are Tanzanians. There are also friars in initial formation: three theology students, ten philosophy students, one novice and two postulants.
* Benson Mapunda i Valence Kisaki - new priests (photo)...
Tanzania 2013-14: 25 years of the Order’s presence
For the Conventual Franciscans in Tanzania, the year 2014 was a time of gratitude to Almighty God for all the good that was
happened during the last 25 years of their presence in this African country.
During the past year, every friary [Mwanga, Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Morogoro] celebrated this jubilee with spiritual or fraternal gatherings. The closing ceremony of the jubilee took place in October at the friary of Mwanga. The participants included the general assistant for AFCOF - fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski, the provincial vicar from the Province of Warsaw - fr. Piotr Szczepański and all of the Custody’s friars and novices from Arusha AFCOF Novitiate. The occasion was crowned by a solemn Eucharistic celebration in the parish church in Mwanga. It was attended by numerous parishioners and was followed by a fraternal meal, shared by all the participants.
Some mission events (texts and pictures):
* building a new church in Mwanga sanctuary (since August 2012)
* jubilee celebrations of the mission - 2013-14 (foto-story)
* education is a Permanent Inheritance - a few words of fr. custos
2014: Spitirual retreat in Arusha
On 2-8 January 2014 in Arusha there was held a religious retreat for the brothers working in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda. There came about 20 brothers - a group
of missionaries from Poland as well as brothers coming from Tanzania and Kenya. Two Passionist brothers, preparing for the diaconate and the priesthood, also joined the spiritual retreat.
Hospitable Spirituality Centre run by Canossian Sisters, become a place of prayer and meditation. Spiritual director of the retreat, fr. Tomasz Szymczak from Warsaw Province, decided to propose biblical meditations on the New Testament's texts, especially those which are present in the Evening Prayer (Vespers).
* a few words of spiritual director, fr. Tomasz (photo)...
Tanzania 2013: 25 years of Franciscan mission
In autumn 1988 Franciscan
Friars from Polish Province of Mary Immaculate started their missionary work in Tanzania. At first, they came to Mwanga. In the chronicle of St. Maximilian Mission in Tanzania we
can read: (...) On 15 October fr. Manswetus took fr. Dominic to Mwanga where he stayed for a few days in the house of the last parish priest. On the next day they celebrated the Holy Mass in one of the classrooms of the primary school in Mwanga, which is
situated next to the parish site. After the Mass a meeting with the Parish Council took place and fr. Manswetus introduced fr. Dominic to parish leaders. On 27 November 1988 two missionaries from Poland came to Tanzania: fr. Peter and br. Slawomir. The friars
spend their first Christmas in Tanzania in Kilomeni, sharing holy wafer and singing Polish carol "Wśród nocnej ciszy".
Some mission events (pictures and movies):
* first profession in novitiate Arusha, August 2013 (fot.)
* Mwanga means Light - the first mission place in Tanzania (youtube)
* blessing of St. Maximilian Secondary School, July 2013 (fot.)
2013: 2nd Custodial Chapter in Tanzania
On 2nd September 2013 in Dar es Salaam there was started a Custodial Chapter, presided over by the minister provincial
fr. Wiesław Pyzio, in the presence of general assistant, fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski. In the first week of the assembly, the new government of the custody has been elected: provincial custos - fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz (2nd
quadriennium), vicar custos - Jerome Munishi Miku (1st quadriennium), secretary - Everest Mkenda (1st quadriennium), definitor - Dariusz Szymborski (2nd quadriennium), definitor - Josaphat Mmbaga (1st quadriennium).
The second part of the Chapter, celebrated in a fraternal atmosphere, was presided over by the re-elected custos, fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz. During this period the capitulars discussed the matters concerning daily life and apostolate, as also they elaborated the custody's priorities to follow during the next quadriennium. At present (September 2013) there are 30 friars in the custody - 18 solemnly (7 Tanzanians) and 12 simply professed. They are engaged in several ministries: formation of local vocations, spiritual assistance to the local religious congregations, the parish apostolate, publishing and editorial activities, education and teaching.
* 2nd Custodial Chapter - see photo gallery...
2013: New solemn professions in Dar es Salaam
On September 1st, at the Franciscan parish church in Dar es Salaam, two friars from provincial custody of Tanzania - fr.
Benson Mapunda and fr. Valence Kisaka - professed their solemn vows into the hands of the provincial minister from Warsaw, fr. Wiesław Pyzio.
At the ceremony assisted fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski (general assistant for AFCOF), fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz (custos of Tanzania) and numerous religious and diocesan priests. There were also present many lay people from the parish and other parts of the country, as well as religious brothers and sisters. After the ceremony, the participants were invited to share a common meal. They also shared their singing and dancing talents which added greatly to the festivity.
* newly professed with their major superiors (photo)...
2012: Education is a Permanent Inheritance
A few words of fr. custos Krzysztof
Cieślikiewicz about the educational
projects in Dar es Salaam
In January 2008 our Franciscan St. Maximilian Education Centre in Dar es Salaam officially started its activity. Those who are to benefit are children from three years age through a kindergarten (2 years), primary (7 years) followed by secondary school (6 years) and high education (2-4 years).
At the same time we want to give opportunity also to those who are not able to proceed with secondary education or high education and want to get proper and adequate vocational training (2 years), in this way to help them to prepare themselves for the future life and work. It could be good that our center would help these young people in this shift from vocational training school to their own activities with the microfinance project.
* read the whole text of fr. custos...
* how the 'Education Centre' works (the movie on the youtube)
2012, Arusha: Inauguration of a new Novitiate House
On the 2nd August 2012 (Franciscan feast of Portiuncula) there was inaugurated a canonical year of Novitiate in a new Arusha
Novitiate House. During the celebration of the Eucharist, presided by general assistant for AFCOF - fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski, there was read a document of officially
erection of that Formation House, third in AFCOF federation. The homily was preached by fr. Enrique. The candidates were called and upon their "yes" they were vested in habits and become first novices in Arusha.
In this historical moment took part not only many guests from Kenya, Uganda or Zambia, but also numerous persons from the nearby Religious Congregations. Fr. Tadeusz Brzozowski, former custos of Kenyan Custody, was nominated to be the Novice Master and fr. Dariusz Szymborski as his assistant and the econom. After the Mass all the rooms of novitiate were blessed by the Tanzanian custos - fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz. We hope that Almighty God will call many young men and the new- opened novitiate will never be empty.
* Novitiate House blessing (photo)...
2011: Franciscan Extraordinary Chapter
Since 28th June to 1st July 2011 in Dar es Salaam took place the Extraordinary Chapter of the Franciscan Custody
of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Tanzania. The chapter was presided by the provincial custos - fr. Krzysztof Cieślikiewicz, and assisted by the provincial vicar - fr. Wiesław Pyzio and the general assistant for AFCOF - fr. Tadeusz Świątkowski.
The main objective of the chapter was to elaborate and approve the custodial statutes. The process of preparation of the statutes was conducted by a special commission, nominated during the last Ordinary Provincial Chapter (August 2009). The present chapter was held in a very fraternal atmosphere. At present the Franciscans, involved not only in the pastoral activity, work in four friaries: Arusha, Mwanga, Morogoro and Dar es Salaam.
* members of the chapter (common photo)...
2011, Dar es Salaam: Another Nursery School
In January 2011 St. Maximilian Nursery School has been inaugurated in Mongolandege
(part of Dar es Salaam). Over 40 children have started their "first steps" in education. The new kindergarten is a part of the St. Maximilian Education Centre in Dar es Salaam. Missionary Sister of the Holy Family became a head teacher of
this school with the help of one of the lay teacher and assisting staff.
Mongolandege kindergarten is not the only or the biggest nursery school, run by Franciscan mission. In 2003 in collaboration with the Caritas Antoniana of Padua there was built a nursery school in Segerea. Nursery is opened for about 180 children of different faith, which is a practical form of ecumenical cooperation. In Mwanga, where in 1988 was founded a first Franciscan friary in Tanzania, also there was open a kindergarten for about 70 children.
* read more about the kindergartens...
2010: Consecration of the new church in Dar es Salaam
On Sunday 31 October 2010 in our Franciscan parish in Segerea (district of Dar es Salaam) took place the
consecration of the new church. The consecration was led by cardinal Polycarp Pengo helped by his two auxiliary bishops of Dar es Salaam. The event took place five years after the building of the church was started (October 2005).
On the occasion of consecration of the church in Dar es Salaam, fr. Mirosław Bartos, the head of the Franciscan Warsaw Province, sent a congratulatory letter to the parish priest - fr. Francis Mumburi, to all his co-workers and all the parishioners in Segerea.
* consecration of the new church (photo)...
2009: New Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian Kolbe
To the greater Glory and Praise of God, for the benefit of God’s People of Tanzania’s Catholic Church, as well as for the growth of the Order of Conventual Franciscan Friars – in 800th Anniversary of the Franciscan
Charism, on 14th August 2009 in memory of 68th Anniversary of St. Maximilian’s martyrdom – a new Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian Kolbe in Tanzania (East Africa), was erected.
Cardinal Polycarp Pengo, the Archbishop of Dar es Salaam, presided over the Holy Eucharist in the Franciscan Segerea Parish, inaugurating the New Custody of St. Maximilian Kolbe and blessing a newly constructed Custodial House. Many guests from Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Poland and Italy participated in the celebration. At present the friars from the Custody work in the following activities: parishes, a formation house, spiritual assistance to the religious, mass- media, teaching in the schools and colleges and so on.
* photo-gallery from this event...
2008, Dar es Salaam: St. Maximilian Education Centre
Conventual Franciscan Friars from Polish Province of Mary Immaculate (from Warsaw) have been involved in pastoral and social activities of the Archdioceses of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, since 1998. Ten years later, in
January 2008, there was started a new project, called St. Maximilian Education Centre. The motto of the Centre is "Education that adds value!"
The main purpose of the whole project is to lift up the living standards of the people as well as the whole country through the achievement of good education. St. Maximilian Education Centre provides a complete school education and raising in a Christian spirit. Its beneficiaries are - and we'll hope there will be - many children, attending first to the kindergarten, then to the primary school, and finally to the high school. Having completed the secondary education level mamy persons will have a possibility to study or to gain a job.