TANZANIA: Rosminian Missionaries Celebrate 75th Jubilee of Evangelization in East Africa
Sarah Pelaji -Tanzania
The Rosmini Missionary institute in Tanzania has celebrated 75th anniversary of evangelization in the East African Province. The celebrations took place on February 20, 2021 at St. Anthony of Padua, Chumbageni, in Tanga Catholic Diocese.
Leading the Mass, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Rev. Jude Thaddaeus Ruwai’chi OFM Cap congratulated the missionaries for their glorious mission in East Africa, praising them for bringing in great value to the Catholic Church and through their charism.
Although missionary congregations differ in the charism and all are focused on finding the chaste, poor and obedient Christ, said Archbishop Ruwai’chi, each one of them is a gift to the Church and the power of the Church as each organization is guided by its gifts, drawn from the Holy Scriptures.
“In a special way, I thank God for the gift of these (Rosminian) missionaries who serve in many countries including Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, America, New Zealand, Venezuela, India, Kenya and Tanzania. The first Rosminian Missionaries arrived in East Africa in 1945, and that is what we are celebrating today. We continue to pray for God to bless, nurture and motivate them to follow Christ steadfastly and joyfully, ”he continued
Most Rev. Ruwai’chi further explained, “The motto of Rosmini Fathers is ‘Love’ and love is a divine gift and if we want to be children of God we must focus on Love. Love is the first commandment and the bond of all commandments. Without loving God, you cannot say you are a man of God. To love God, we must be filled with God’s grace and be guided by God’s power. If we want to love the God we do not see, we must interpret our love for God to affect those we serve and with whom we associate. ”
During the celebration, there was also change of leadership in the East African Vicariate whereby the Head of the Rosmini Fathers Worldwide, Father Vito Nardin, appointed Father Emilian Kibiriti as Head of the East African Province with effect from February 20, 2021. Prior to his appointment the former Head of the Rosmini Missionaries in the East Africa was Father Enharp Mpete I.C who led for six years according to the organization’s constitutions.
Bishop Ruwai’chi thanked Father Mpete I.C for leading the congregation for six years and wished him well in his new responsibilities.
He then urged the faithful to pray for Father Kibiriti so that the mission he has received will be carried out with love, wisdom, integrity and great devotion for the welfare of the organization and for the benefit of the Church of God.
Archbishop Ruwai’chi He said leadership in the Church is a sacrifice and requires great commitment, so members should pray for Father Kibiriti so that he can lead in the wisdom of God.
The mission of the Rosmini Priests is to serve all human beings spiritually, mentally and physically.
Blessed Father Antonio Rosmini Serbati in Rovereto, Italy founded the Rosminian Institute of Charity on February 20, 1828. The Catholic Church officially recognized the Institute in 1838 and the Matron of the Rosmini Institute of the East African Province is St. Josephine Bhakita
Their mission in Tanzania began in Moshi Diocese, Kilimanjaro, and later they extended it to the Vicariate of Tanga in 1948. In 1954 Bishop Eugeni Arthurs, member of the Rosminian Institute, founded the Women Religious Congregation of Our Lady of Usambara (COLU) Sisters.
In Tanzania, the institute owns one of the most popular secondary schools in the country, Rosmini Secondary School, which is located in Tanga Diocese. And they have over 24 parishes spread across Tanga Diocese and in Dar es Salaam.
