The faithful at prayer at Likuni at the cemetery, Likuni Mons Thawale
It has been the tradition of the Church to pray for the souls of the dead to receive God’s mercy and pardon. Traditionally, particularly, the month of November is separated for this purpose.
On the 9th of November, the Archdiocese of
Lilongwe, led by the Administrator, Monsignor Patrick Thawale, offered prayers for the repose of the souls of her servants, the priests, reverend sisters, brothers and other people who in a special way worked in the Archdiocese.
In his reflection during the Mass, Monsignor Thawale emphasised that our life does not end at the passing from this life.
“Our life does not end at the physical death. As people of faith, we believe after this life we shall be led to the place where there is life eternal. Therefore, praying for our brothers and sisters who have gone before us is a good thing to do.”
Recently, the Archdiocese of Lilongwe lost four priests in a row to covid-19. Fr. Martin Mthumba, Fr. Cyprian Chipala, Fr. Peter Jester Banda and Fr. Vincent Epulani.
Wreaths were laid on the tombs of the dead servants of God to demonstrate love and well wishes. This year the Mass for the dead attracted many faithful who filled up the Likuni Parish Church to capacity.
SISTER MARY KIZITA JALASI ANABADWA PA 27 JULY, 1944. IWO AMACHOKERA KU BALAKA.
SISTER MARY ANALOWA MNYUMBA YOBINDIKIRA YA POOR CLARES MCHAKA CHA 1963 NDIPO ANACHITA MALUMBIRO WOYAMBA PA 8 DECEMBER, 1966. MALUMBIRO OTSIRIZA ANACHITA MCHAKA CHA 1970.
SISTER MARY MMENE AMATISIYA PA 8 NOVEMBER, 2021 AKHALA MNYUMBA YOBINDIKIRA KWA ZAKA 58.
SISTER MARY AMAKHALA BWINO NDI AZIMAI ANZAWO.
AMAKONDA MAPEMPHERO KWAMBIRI
AMAPEKA NDI KUYIMBA NYIMBO
ANALI A MAI A CHIMWEMWE
MZIMU WAO UUSE NDI MTENDERE
INSTALLATION OF ARCHBISHOP TAMBALA
Sam Kalimba:
Bishop Mtumbuka (c) with the new Seminarians.
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) has commended the administration of the St. Anthony (Kachebere) Major Seminary located in the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe for the strides so far made after the reopening.
Speaking on the occasion of the 2021 Cassock’s day celebration on Saturday, 17 July 2021, ECM’s Bishop Chairman responsible for Seminaries and Education, Rt. Rev. Martin Mtumbuka was thankful to the Sulpician priests who are providing administration services at the Seminary.
The ceremony of conferring cassocks to the seminarians marks the beginning of the first step of their journey towards priesthood as they also commence their philosophical studies.
“Thanks to the Rector Fr. Patrick Simutowe and your fellow Sulpician priests for transforming Kachebere Major Seminary. In 2018, the seminary had to close due to shortage of members of staff and formators. When you, Sulpicians from Zambia were contacted, you gladly accepted to come and assist. Your presence means a lot to the Church in Malawi and it was good that we had such challenges that we see what Kachebere is now,” said Bishop Mtumbuka who is the Ordinary for the Catholic Diocese of Karonga.
He however, emphasized that as the Sulpician priests are not there to stay for good, the local clergy in Malawi should appreciate their good work at Kachebere as a transitional process. He therefore thanked the local clergy under the Episcopal Conference of Malawi who are working in collaboration with the team of priests of the Society of St. Sulpice to run the seminary and give formation to the seminarians.
“To you my fellow Malawian clergy who are working with our brother priests the Sulpicians, I salute you. I also extend our episcopal blessings for your kind gesture that is defined in your spirit of humility and hard work. We urge you to keep up the spirit so that together we may achieve the objectives of the Seminary,” added Bishop Mtumbuka.
The Seminary welcomed 46 young men who received their cassocks. His Lordship Bishop Martin Mtumbuka applauded the first-year seminarians for having taken a step further on their journey towards priesthood. He encouraged them to respond to the Lord positively as Samuel did (1 Samuel 3:1-11).
In his homily, Bishop Mtumbuka drew from Jesus’ Gospel teachings and life that seminarians ought to have a spirit of detachment from worldly things if they are to become good and effective priests in future. Here he referred to material things and bad behaviors.
“Jesus died on the cross naked. He accepted to die such a humiliating death in order to save humanity. He did not cling to his glory as son of God. So, learn to be like him,” preached His Lordship.
He emphasized the point that the Church needs priests whose lives can have an impact on the people they are ministering.
Rt. Rev. Mtumbuka also pointed out that when seminarians encounter problems, they need to turn to Jesus himself the owner of priestly vocation.
Of the 46 seminarians, 8 are from the Diocese of Chikwawa; 10 are from the Archdiocese of Blantyre; 6 are from the Diocese of Dedza; 3 are from Diocese of Karonga; 8 are from the Archdiocese of Lilongwe; 3 are from the Diocese of Mangochi and 8 from the Diocese of Mzuzu with none from the Diocese of Zomba.
By Sam Kalimba
Saint Paul’s Minor Seminary of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe received a donation of teaching and learning materials on Saturday 10 July, 2021. T
The donation was made by St. Paul’s (Mlale) Seminary Alumni Association which is composed of ex-seminarians and Priests who went through the seminary since its inception in 1963.
Speaking as he received the donation, the Rector of the Seminary Rev. Fr. Peter Kapiri expressed gladness to the association and the seminary’s duty boundedness to ensure that the materials are well taken care of.
“It is a great honor to receive the timely donation of books at a time that the Seminary needed them. With changes in syllabi, we tend to shed-off a good number of books without an immediate plan to replace them. Learners relied on few books but with this donation we feel relieved. On behalf of the pupils and members of staff, I thank the Alumni Association for fulfilling what they had pledged,” said Fr. Kapiri.
Chairperson for the Alumni Association of Saint Paul Seminary Mr. Joseph Diele thanked members of the association for making the donation possible from their personal contributions.
“Most members of the Alumni Association are married and for them to take part of their small earnings to contribute towards this cause is a sign of sacrifice from them and their spouses. I personally thank them all for their contribution. I also thank priests who are members of the association for contributing as alumni as this is a sign of humility and a spirit of togetherness,” said Diele.
According to Diele, the Association donated books in science and literature subjects as per recommendation by the Rector who made during the 2021 annual general meeting where he was present as a guest. He said that individual members and cohorts are further mobilizing more resources for the same exercise.
In 2020, the Alumni Association assisted the Seminary with Covid19 response materials.
At present, the Seminary has a maximum capacity of 250 learners with a single stream for Forms 2 to 4 and double stream for Form 1.
