2015/3
Aug-Sept, Issue
Missionary Benedictine Sisters, P.O. Box 1 Ndanda via Mtwara, Tanzania, East AfricaE-mail:
[email protected] CP: +255785240091 Web: www.ndanda-priory.org www.osb-tutzing.it
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Blessing of Abbot Placidus OSB of Ndanda Abbey
In the presence of Abbot President Jeremiah OSB, the Monks of Ndanda Abbey chose Fr. Placidus
Mtunguja OSB.
Abbot Placidus Mtunguja OSB
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This occurred in June 4th, 2015 at Ndanda Abbey. Abbot Placidus OSB is the first African and
Tanzanian Abbot since the Abbey was established many years ago. He was installed on 23 rd,
September 2015 in the presence of all the Abbot Presidents of the Benedictines Confederation.
The Abbot Presidents had their meeting in Ndanda Zakeo Spiritual Centre. On the Eve, we had
Solemn Vespers in the Abbey Church together with the parishioners. The Archbishop of Songea,
the Reverent Bishop Damian Dallu, blessed the Ring, Mitre, Staff, Casula and Stole which will be
used by Abbot Placidus during Mass.
The Altar
Abbots in procession
Priests in procession
Archbishop blessing the new Abbot
On actual day the Holy Mass started at 10:00am to 13:15pm.The main celebrant was Archbishop
Damian Dallu. There were also four Bishops, many Priests, Brothers and Sisters from different
Congregations in Tanzania and outside Tanzania. Members of Anglican Church, Government
Officials and Muslims were also present. During homily, the Archbishop quoted the words from
The Acts of the Apostles, which says” The whole group of believers was united in heart and soul;
no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, as everything they owned was held in
common” (Acts 4:32).He continued to Acts 5:1-2,the fraud of Ananias and Sapphira. The
Archbishop warned us, especially religious and priests that sometimes we can be acting as Ananias
and Sapphira, misusing common goods for the personal use. He challenged each one of us to ask
ourselves, in which way am I acted like Ananias and Sapphira? The common goods are there for
the benefit of all in the community and not for individual use .
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Abbot Placidus blessing the faithful
Abbot Placidus and Fr.Silvanus
Abbot Placidus and Abbot Presidents
After mass, we had a program. Different groups presented traditional dances, some officials gave
short speech and different groups presented their gifts to our new Abbot. He was crowned a Chief
of Ndanda village by some elected representatives of Ndanda people. During the crowning they
said.” We know that now you are the Abbot of Ndanda Abbey, but remember that you are the
Chief of Ndanda. You are to guide all of us.” Abbot Placidus OSB thanked all who came to witness
the love of God. He asked us to pray for Him so that the task which He undertaken may be
fulfilled as God wants it to be done.
Abbot receives a staff from
Abbot Thaddeus
Abbot Primate Notker and
Abbot Placidus
Abbot Placidus is crowned by some
of the believers as a Chief of Ndanda
After this, we had late lunch in different respective areas. We thank God for all blessings He
showed upon us and sending the Missionaries who planted the seed of God in us and may He
welcome to His glory all the Missionaries who have gone before us.
By Sr. Agnes OSB
Celebration of 130 Years Congregation Jubilee at Ndanda
Visit of Abbot Primary Notker Wolf OSB who was attending Synod of Abbot
Presidents at Ndanda
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Abbot Primate at lunch with the community
Holy Hour and Prayer in union with our whole
Congregation
Festive Mass with Fr Alfons Holela OSB
Pilgrimage to Ng’awa
Ng’awa is the place where our Sr. Walburga Dieppolder was murdered on 29 August 1905 during
the Maji Maji Uprising. Each year we do pilgrimage to this place remembering Sr. Walburga and
praying for the needs of the Church and for ourselves. This year the pilgrimage was with special
intention, praying for the religious people in this Year of Consecrated Life. The pilgrimage was
attended by Salvatorian Sisters SDS, Sisters of the Redeemer CRS, Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Conception SMI, Diocesan Benedictine Sisters of Ndanda, Benedictine Fathers and Brothers of
Ndanda Abbey, Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Sisters from different Congregations
who are studying at Stella Maris University in Mtwara, Tanzania Young Christian Students, Nursing
School Students, Pontifical Missionary Children and Christians of Nyangao Parish. Those who
participated came mainly from three Dioceses: Tunduru - Masasi, Lindi and Mtwara.
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Ng,awa
Ng,awa during Mass
Offertory Procession
Procession to Ng’awa through villages
The procession began at 09.30 am at Nyangao Parish where Fr. Hugo OSB, the Parish priest of
Nyangao led the opening prayer and gave a short homily. He said “we are about to go to the place
where Sr. Walburga was murdered, what are we going to see there? There is no grave of Sr
Walburga because after she was killed, her body disappeared, we do not know whether she was
eaten by wild animals or not. What is our aim of going there? Just to see the place? Each one has
to ask oneself what is my motive of coming here?” We are going to pray with our feet by walking
in procession. The procession to Ng’awa took us almost one hour and a half. We had Holy Mass
there led by Fr. Angelus Chitanda, the Vicar General of Lindi Diocese. The songs for mass were
prepared by Ndanda Priory Sisters. The main celebrant Fr. Angelus shared with us about his
vocation to priesthood. He asked us to reflect on our call to religious life. He asked us “did you join
religious life to serve God’s people and even to die as Sr.Walburga died for love of God or did you
join because you saw a sister or brother dressed properly and you wanted to look like her or him?
Are you ready to suffer just like the early missionaries? Each one has to reflect on her or his call to
religious life, or priesthood, to see how the first motives have changed to become more spiritual
over the years. If you joined religious life due to outward attraction, there is still a time to change
your motives and be a real religious or a priest following the life of Christ, ready to give up your
life for others as Sr. Walburga did.
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Kipapa children singing
Domestic students singing
The mass was about two hours. Then the Domestic School girls sang a song whose touching
message says “We are passengers in this world going to our Father who is in heaven”. The
Pontifical Missionary Children also presented a song. Then the superior of Nyangao community
read a short life history of Sr. Walburga. We were moved to hear how Sr. Walburga was killed just
one day after her 35th birthday. After the final blessing we departed back to Nyangao community
where we had a late lunch and left for our respective communities. We thank God for the life of
Sr. Walburga and her readiness to die for others. May she pray for us.
By Sr.Dafrosa OSB and postulant Catherine
Initiation into Novitiate
On Saturday 15th August 2015 at 5.00 pm, Ndanda Priory House community the community
assembled in the chapter room for our reception into novitiate. Before that, the three postulants
had retreat for five days, facilitated by Fr. Tertulian Mrope from Tunduru-Masasi Diocese. The
theme of our retreat was, “Discernment”. Fr. Tertulian told us that it is a right time now to decide
on our call to religious life. Novitiate is a time to reflect and ask ourselves about our call.
Novices Gudila,
Neema, Agnes,
Sr Terese,
Sr Bonifasia,
Sr Fides
We thank God for calling us to serve Him in the Congregation of the Missionary Benedictine
Sisters. We thank the community for allowing us to start our novitiate and ask them to continue
praying for us so that we may reach our desire of becoming Missionary Benedictine sisters. May
God bless you all.
By Novices, Gudila, Neema and Agnes.
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Nyangao Sewing School
Two years ago, the domestic school in Nyangao was closed. During the celebration, the Kipapa
children (Pontifical Missionary Children) sung a very touching song asking the sisters “why is the
school closing? Where will the poor girls go? Please, if possible open another school. After
reflecting on it we decided to carry on the apostolate so that we can help the poor girls to develop
their skills of sewing and embroidery as well as learning morals and prayer. The interview for girls
was conducted in March 2015; they were 24 girls but only 12 girls were selected.
Domestic Students
Domestic Students holding their work
Students preparing their work
The Sewing School started on 8 June 2015. The classes
begin at 08.00 am untill 13.00 pm. We are using one
room of Aspirancy House as classroom since the former
Domestic School buildings are no longer for our use.
There are two teachers, one for tailoring and the other
for embroidery. Some months have passed and already
the students have prepared many things which they can
sell. They are eager to learn more. One of those students
is deaf and dumb but she is very intelligent. The teachers
praise her because she learns faster than the others. We cannot take more than 12 students even
though the parents ask us to do so, because we have only one sewing room and the machines are
not enough for all. So the students have to share the machines.
Domestic students in the classroom
Domestic students displaying their work
People around Nyangao mission trust the Sisters. They believe that the girls after completing their
learning will be different from those left at home. Through this apostolate, we see how the Lord
needs us here in Nyangao to serve His people in this special apostolate.
By Sr. Febronia.
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Farewell Abbot Dionys OSB
Ndanda Priory House bid farewell to Abbot Dionys on 1st August 2015. Abbot Dionys completed
his term as Abbot of Ndanda Abbey in June. We invited him to be with us at Vespers. After the
prayers we had common supper in our dinning room and then had recreation together. We had a
short program so that we can have enough time to listen to the Abbot’s sharing. The Junior Sisters
sang a song of thanking him and wishing him good life wherever he may be sent.
Abbot Dionys shared his experience of leading the Abbey of Ndanda for 13 years. He said “as
Abbot I have learned good things from my Brothers. They were so good to me; I thank them for
being part of my life. There were some challenges and they will still be there but those challenges
are part of life and we cannot avoid some. God brings challenges in our life so that we may grow
spiritually and be firm in religious life.” Sr Terese on behalf of the community gave a word of
gratitude for the service which the Abbot offered to us for 13 years.
Community with Abbot Dionys
Juniors singing
Abbot Dionys gives a talk
Abbot Dionys was coming to us every Saturday for confessions. We were so happy to have him.
We offered a small gift for him so that he may remember Ndanda.
Abbot Dionys receiving the gift
Mother Terese thanking the Abbot
The abbot thanking the sisters
We thank Abbot Dionys for all the service which he offered to our community as well as Ndanda
Parish. We wish him God’s blessings.
By Sr. Dafrosa OSB
New chapel St. Scholastica Community Mtwara
The blessing of our new chapel took place on 16 August 2015. Though very weak, Bishop Gabriel
Mmole blessed the chapel with joy. We had about 50 guests. The new chapel can hold about 40
people.
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Procession going to the new chapel
Bishop blessing new chapel
inside the new chapel
The altar is directed to the east, as all churches in former times, symbol of the resurrection. The
convent was also blessed even though it had not yet been handed over by the Construction
Company. It has 12 rooms for sisters and one large common room. The rooms to the north have a
magnificent view to the Indian Ocean. I thank all who participated in one way or another in
making our plan to be what we desired it to be. May God bless you abundantly.
By Sr. Raphaela Handler OSB
Juniors Sisters Seminar in Peramiho
Ndanda Juniors, left for Peramiho on 17 August 2015 to attend a seminar prepared by the
Juniorate Directresses of Peramiho and Ndanda. The seminar was for Junior Sisters of Peramiho
Priory and Ndanda Priory.
Juniors in Mjimwema
Juniors in the seminar room
Juniors with Fr Gregory Mwageni OSB
The one week seminar was mostly based on the Gospel of St. Luke: its introduction, characteristics
and description of the gospel. We also learned about Lectio Divine where we can meet God
individually. We had time for rumination prayer and a time for games as a part of our session. We
learned about the Four Pillars of Benedictine monastic Life that is Prayer, Lectio divina, common
Life and work. We were given a time to visit Mjimwema community, an outstation of Peramiho.
Mjimwema community runs a Kindergarten and Orphanage.
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Hanga Monastery
Good shepherd kindergarten Mjimwema
We also visited the Benedictine Fathers and Brothers in Hanga Monastery. Luckily we met Fr.
Gregory Mwageni who is among the first group to join in the Monastery in Hanga. He is old but
very happy. We thank all who prepared this seminar for us. God bless all.
By Sr. Irene OSB
Welcome Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca and Sr. Regina Tesch.
Ndanda Priory received Sr. Lumen Gloria, the Vicaress and Sr. Regina Tesch, General Counselor, on
9 September 2015. In procession, dancing and singing we went to the chapel to thank God for His
protection and for bringing them safe to us. The next day, they were very busy. At 17:00 pm, we
gathered in the chapter room. They showed us the film of our Jubilee 130 years since our
Congregation was established.
Sr Lumen ,Sr Regina with Tekla Community
Sr.Lumen,Sr. Regina in Ndanda Community
After supper we had recreation together and we gave them Kitenge so that whenever they put on
they may remember Tanzania. They stayed with us only for two days then departed for Peramiho.
We thank them for visiting us.
By Sr. Joyce OSB
Seminar at Mkalapa Secondary School
Sr Febronia OSB visited Mkalapa Secondary School in order to give them a seminar on morals. It
was 13 August 2015 in the afternoon when the students gathered together to listen to Sr.
Febronia.
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Students listening to Sr. Febronia
Sr. Febronia giving a seminar to students
Mkalapa Secondary School is a Government School in Mtwara region, whereby Muslim children
and Christian youth study together. Before starting the talk, Sr. Febronia asked a Muslim girl to
start the opening prayer which she prayed by using Arabic language. In her talk, Sr. Febronia put
emphasis on listening and studying hard so as to understand what has been taught and to pass
the National Examination. She told them that as long as they are in school, they have to follow
school regulations no matter how difficult they are, and it is for their own benefit. School
regulations prepare them to be good people in the future. Sister Febronia gave them some
minutes for questions which she answered them all. They were very happy and they invited her to
visit them again in the future.
By Sr. Dafrosa OSB
Farewell our dear Sr. Francisca Kaesa OSB
Sr. Francisca Kaesa stayed in Ndanda Priory for eight years doing different activities. She taught in
Aquinas Secondary School in Mtwara and later moved to the Priory House where she was
faithfully working in the garden. She loved the garden work where she was taking care of animals,
fishponds, fruit trees and cashew nut farm outside Ndanda in Liundu. Apart from working in the
garden, Sr. Francisca was teaching those in formation. On Monday 14 September 2015, we said
goodbye to our dear Sr. Francisca before she returned to her Priory of Nairobi, Kenya. In the
morning we had thanksgiving Mass for our dear Sr. Francisca. After vespers we had a festive
supper which was well prepared by our cooks in her honor. Then we gathered in the chapter room
for a program.
Sisters singing a poem
Sr. Francisca and mother Terese
cake cutting
Each group showed its appreciation to Sr. Francisca for the work done in eight years. In her
speech, she said, “As I go back to my home Priory of Nairobi, I take you in my heart. You have
become the living pages in the book of my life”. Sr Terese thanked Sr. Francisca for the service she
offered in Ndanda Priory for eight years. The program lasted for two hours. We thank Nairobi
Priory for sending Sr. Francisca to us.
By postulant Paulina and Inviolata.
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4th Annual gathering of Korean Catholic Missionaries in Africa
The 4th annual gathering of KAM (Korean Catholic Missionaries in Africa) was taken place at
Woman Center in Livingstone, Zambia from 07-11 September 2015. Livingstone was named after
David Livingstone, the British pioneer medical missionary and 1st European to explore the area,
especially Victoria Fall. The 1st Catholic Missionaries in Zambia were Jesuits. In Livingstone
Christianity developed and flourished mainly, at first, by the Irish Capuchin Fathers who arrived in
1931 then Holy Cross sisters in 1936. They established schools and a great help to improve the life
of local people both in education and pastoral care was offered.
KAM 2015 Participants
Sisters from Kenya, Namibia and Tanzania
We were 61 missionaries (24 priests, 1 brother, 3 seminarians, 30 sisters and 4 volunteers) from
15 countries in Africa. Fr. Benedict Park, general secretary of committee for Foreign mission and
Pastoral care of Overseas Koreans came from Korea. A family with 3 children from South Africa
and a professional photographer who was visiting Malawi were also invited.
‘WAKE UP THE WORLD’ the theme of the meeting was unfolded by the presentations and group
sharing. A couple of resource persons were invited to provide with insights into different cultures
and Journey of Christian discipleship.
Fr. Peter OFM Cap.With the participants
Sr.Lugarda Leeand Sr. Jina Park
Group sharing
Fr. Xavier Hong /Korea Foreign Mission Society/Mozambique: presented his joy and hardship as
pastor, especially in taking care of sub –stations scattered in a vast and remote areas.
Agatha (Sun Sook) Kim/a volunteer/Zambia: talked on her daily life with the people in villages. She
shared her way to build bond of trust and love. Every morning she rises to work on her bicycle and
visits the sick, the young, the old and the needy. Lugarda(Jung Mi) Lee/Mary knoll
Sisters/Zimbabwe : talked on her life experiences with the disabled ,stressing on the therapeutic
effects of dancing and on her service to counsel people with sexual abuse and violence. Jina (Chi
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Young) Park /Mary knoll Sisters/Zimbabwe: talked on her ministry with school children, orphans
and youth. She created meditative atmosphere by playing traditional musical instrument of
Zimbabwe shortly before her talk. It was very impressive.Fr. Dominic Chanda, OFM cap and Fr.
Peter OFM cap; gave talks on culture and history of Christian mission in Zambia and Africa today
respectively; A valuable guide on how to approach and adopt to the traditional and cultural way of
life in Zambia. Sr. Fidelma (Africa Mission Society): gave talks on Journey of Christian discipleship
for an half day recollection
Fr.Benedict , Bishop Raymond and Fr.Benigno
Sr. Fidelma with Sr .Bruno
Victoria Fall
The environment of Woman Center owned by the diocese was pleasant but very simple compared
with the ones we stayed for the meeting previous years. Had we started facing the different
situations such as the absence of Korean catholic community and daily power cut than we
explored our own resources and discovered a quite good number of chefs. Dr. Joseph (WonJae)
Joo, a volunteer surgeon serving in South Sudan, took care of plenty of tuna fish being sent by a
Korean benefactor in South Africa. We enjoyed his skillfully sliced tuna fish dish at candlelit outdoor dinner almost every evening. Daily power cut from 10:00am to 10:00pm by the city
authority, was a good exposure to the kind of life people used to go through daily in the vicinity.
All in all we were resourceful, flexible and spontaneous and grateful to respond to the challenges
and inconveniences. The presence of Bishop Raymond Mpezele who was the main celebrant of
the holy mass followed by dinner graced the meeting. The Outing to Victoria Fall and Zambezi
River on the last day was a day of praising, thanking and adoration for the wonders of God’s
creation. May God bless those who prayed for and made this meeting possible to take place.
Sr. Lioba Yang OSB
Coordinator Sr. Dafrosa OSB
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