La Salette Welcomed into Tanzania

These few lines are being sent to you after our return almost two months ago to Rome from Tanzania. Fr. Adilson and I have lived unforgettable moments, which certainly are very historical, with the opening of a La Salette Community in Rutete, in the Diocese of Bukoba, in northwest Tanzania, in conjunction with the commemoration of the 170th anniversary of the Apparition and the celebration of the extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis.

 

Our First La Salette Presence in Tanzania

 

Our road of discernment which lasted a few years, involved the Diocese of Bukoba, the General Council, the Council of the Congregation and the whole Congregation. Happily it culminated on July 15, 2016 with the arrival of our three confreres onto Tanzanian soil in order to begin the first La Salette presence in that country.

On Sunday, July 17th, I was accompanied by Fr. Adilson Schio, M.S.,our Vicar General, Fr. Rosanno Soriano, M.S., Provincial Superior of the Philippines and three other La Salette Missionaries: Fr. Manuel dela Cruz, M. S. (Philippines) Fr. Dileesh Poriamvelil, M.S. (India) and Fr. Aldrin Cenizal, M.S. (Philippines), as well as by Bishop Desiderius Rwoma, the Ordinary of the Diocese of Bukoba, and Bishop Methodius Kilaini, Auxiliary Bishop.

 

 

A Wonderful Eucharistic Celebration

 

We were welcomed by a dozen Diocesan Priests and about three thousand enthusiastic and festive faithful, who, escaping the scorching sun, sheltered themselves under temporary tents put up by volunteers for the occasion, around and in front of the covered outdoor altar constructed for the occasion.

During the Mass, which lasted around four and a half hours, 197 children were baptized by our missionaries; and twelve couples celebrated their wedding. At the end of the celebration, the Bishop blessed and enthroned the Statue of Our Lady of La Salette, and introduced the missionaries to the faithful, thus marking official the beginning of La Salette presence in this wonderful country of Tanzania.

Leading up to this, at the homily the Bishop officially announced that the new Parish will be under the patronage of Our Lady of La Salette. This decision tells all and describes the climate of warm and enthusiastic and sincere welcome (Karibu in Kiswahili) to our three Missionaries and the profound gratitude to and appreciation of our Congregation by the Diocese of Bukoba.

 

An Evening of Song, Dance, Gifts and a New Home

 

After lunch the festivities continued until around 6:30PM with songs and dances typical of the region, and the giving of many gifts to our Missionaries among which were seven small goats, a dozen chicken, some rabbits and a gas stove. They also offered various vestments and other sacred materials for liturgical celebrations.

The residence which will house our confreres, constructed by the parishioners, is modest but adequate and with very welcoming atmosphere. It has electricity but lacks running water for the moment. Each of the priests has a private room with bath and an adjacent study. There are common rooms: a small parlor, a dining room – both are well ventilated – and a small kitchen and a still empty supply room.

Foreseeing the initial difficulty of learning the language, a diocesan priest has been assigned by the Bishop to be with our confreres for a few months to help them learn the language and the culture of the people, at least until they have acquired a basic knowledge of Kiswahili. We have been very impressed and are grateful to Fr. Eric for his willingness to share his time and talents with our missionaries during this period.

 

We La Salettes are Truly Grateful

 

In the name of the entire Congregation I would like to express my gratitude, first of all, to the three Confreres who have made themselves available to begin this new Mission, a totally new missionary experience in Tanzania. Of course our sincere gratitude goes to their Provinces of origin, Philippines and India, for having responded to my call as Superior General to establish this new presence of the Congregation in the Diocese of Bukoba.

As I have pointed out to them: Fr. Manuel, Fr. Dileesh, and Fr. Aldrin are not in Tanzania on their own account, but in the name of the Congregation in response to the request of the local church. Our stay in Bukoba also gave us the opportunity to finalize and sign a contract between the Diocese of Bukoba and the Congregation that stipulates the length conditions of our presence in that local church.

 

A Mission of Reconciliation, Hope and Mercy

 

I entrust the beginning and the development and growth of this new mission to the Virgin of La Salette, our patron and advocate, that she may sustain and bless this missionary endeavor of the Congregation, in this 170th anniversary of her merciful Apparition on the Holy Mountain.

I also wish that the prayer of each one of us, and that of thousands of La Salette Laity spread all over the world, accompany every step of this journey and every effort of our dear confreres in the land of Tanzania. They have the sacred task of announcing the Gospel of Jesus and of making known the message of reconciliation, hope and mercy of the Beautiful Lady.

 

Watch a video of our welcome to our new mission in Tanzania

 

“Very well, my children, make this known to all my people.”
Mary at La Salette.