► FRIARIES
Franciscan Custody of St. Maximilian in Tanzania
Contact address:
St. Maximilian Custody (Conventual Franciscan Friars)
P.O. Box 80409, DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
Email: Dar es Salaam (custody) e-mail
Franciscan mission in Tanzania was established in October 1988. 21 years later, in August 2009, 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 – a new provincial Custody of St. Maximilian Kolbe was erected. The new custody consists of four friaries:
* Arusha - Poli-Singisi (in the diocese of Arusha), existing since 1991. In Arusha there is a parish centre with outstations and - since 2012 - a formation house for novices (Arusha Novitiate House);
* Mwanga via Moshi (in the diocese of Same) - is the first Franciscan mission in Tanzania, found in 1988. A local parish church stands also - since 2006 - as the Diocesan Shrine of Divine Mercy;
* Dar es Salaam - Segerea (in the largest city in Tanzania). Found in 1999, now is a headquarters of the Custody. Apart from the parish, here there also exists a Franciscan Education Centre of St. Maximilian Kolbe and a seat of The Messenger of Mary Immaculate (magazine in swahili, issued every three months);
* Morogoro (in the diocese of the same name, exists since 2006). Now in Morogoro there exists a formation house for postulants (candidates to the Franciscan Order).
The four friaries serve the Church in the following areas: three parishes, spiritual assistance to Religious, a formation house for candidates to the Order (postulants), Marian media activity, teaching in the religious Colleges and charitable pastoral activity. Franciscan friars are well known in the country thanks to the Marian publications which - as a result - is their principal source of vocations.
Missionary Prayer:
Father of all, you sent your Son to carry out your mission of redeeming the world. Let the light of your Gospel of love so shine in the world that it may be transformed into a worthy home for all your children of every race and country.
Bless all missionaries throughout the world that their work may bear fruit. Together with them, may we too share in the missionary work of the whole Church that your Kingdom of justice, love and peace may come in all hearts and in all
nations. We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen.