First Professions in Tanzania

The first religious professions in the Order of Carmelites, O.Carm. in Tanzania.

Today 3 August 2019 is a memorable day in the history of the Carmelites in Tanzania, for having witnessed the first professions of the three friars, Frt. Dickson Maria Richard Sambala O.Carm, Frt. Athanas Maria Mhina Ngassa O.Carm and frt. Pascal Maria Dominic Mkaka O.Carm. These are Tanzanian friars who were formed here in Tanzania. Their predecessors were all formed in Italy. They arrived on 07/28/2019 at 15:00 at Julius Kambarage Nyerere International Airport (JKNI) from Zimbabwe where they did their novitiate. They were accompanied by the director of novices Fr. Wiseman Maria Msemwa O.Carm and at the airport were received by Fr. Victor Maria Alphonce Biramata O.Carm. After saying goodbye, the journey to Bunju started and they arrived there around 20:00. They were welcomed by the elderly Carmelite brothers and had dinner together. After dinner they went to the Carmelite nuns to the Boko Spiritual Center where they stayed until the day before their professions. They returned to Bunju on the night of August 2 and the following day professed in the hands of Fr. Victor Alphonce Biramata, O.Carm. in the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel bunju. The Holy Mass was presided over by Cardinal Eminence Policarpo Cardinal Pengo, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam. It was a colorful celebration. All Carmelite priests, fr. Thomas Mtey O.Carm, (pastor) Fr. Dominic Somola O.Carm, (Prior and assistant of Parish Priest), fr. Paul Malewa O.Carm and fr. Paschal Shirima O.Carm. they were present. From Zimbabwe there were Fr. Vitalis Benza O.Carm, the Commissioner General of the General Commissariat of Zimbabwe, fr. Wiseman Msemwa O.Carm, director of novisi. And from the Kenyan delegation, Fr. Denis Omae O.Carm, Fr. Januaris Mutinda, O.Carm. Other priests who joined the Carmelites are Fr. Deodatus Mwageni, Adorini, fr. Njoroge from Consolata Spiritual Centre. Many sisters from different congregations were present also. In his homily, the Cardinal asks them to pay attention to listening to the voice of God, especially in our time when there are many voices in the world. He said that "you are called to listen to the voice of God," true God. After the homily, they were examined and then made temporary vows for three years. Then after that, the mass continued and at the end of the mass there was a joint event of taking photos. Short celebrations, lunches and gifts to the new friars followed.