MALAWI: Archbishop Tambala, Auxiliary Mwankhwawa Honour Mpiri Parish with a Visit
Luke Bisani
In a moving expression of humility, gratitude, and deep spiritual connection, Archbishop George Desmond Tambala of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and his auxiliary, Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwankhwawa made a memorable journey on Sunday, November 9, to Mpiri Parish in the Diocese of Mangochi, a place that shaped their early faith and vocation to the priesthood.
Traveling over 300 kilometers from Lilongwe, the two prelates joined parishioners for a Thanksgiving Mass, celebrating both their shared roots and the enduring Christian values that inspired their call to serve God’s people.
This was no ordinary pastoral visit. It was a pilgrimage of the heart, a return to the sacred ground where, as young boys, they first encountered the mystery of faith and felt the stirrings of their priestly calling.
During his homily, Bishop Mwankhwawa who co-celebrated the Eucharist with the Archbishop, reflected on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, reminding the faithful of the Church’s holiness as the dwelling place of God.
“Take time to visit Christ, who is always present and waiting for you in the Church through the Eucharist,” he said, encouraging parishioners to renew their love and reverence for the House of God.
He further urged the faithful to become agents of evangelization, spreading the Gospel with zeal as Mpiri Parish prepares to celebrate its Centenary Jubilee.
“Ready your hearts and rejuvenate your Christian lives,” he said, “by embracing the missionary spirit of those early Montfort Fathers who first preached the Good News here at Mpiri.”
The Bishop also appealed to parents to invest in their children’s education and to protect them from the growing challenge of early marriage, emphasizing that education and faith remain the foundation of a strong Christian family.
For Archbishop Tambala, the homecoming held special meaning. He hails from St. Montfort Mphakati, under Mpiri Parish. Bishop Mwankhwawa also traces his roots to Ngokwe, another outstation of Mpiri, where his parents lived for many years and where his own faith took root.
Founded in 1926 by the pioneering Montfort Missionaries, Mpiri Parish stands among the oldest in the Shire Vicariate a beacon of faith whose legacy continues to inspire generations of believers and clergy alike.
As the Thanksgiving Mass drew to a close, the parish community broke into joyful songs and dances, celebrating their shepherds’ return with heartfelt gratitude. It was a powerful reminder that while vocations may lead far from home, faith always brings one back to the roots where it all began.
