On October 9-11, 2018, the Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania held its second fraternal gathering.
All of the friars of the Custody gathered together for prayer, reflection and to talk about daily life in their respective friaries. This gathering was not only an ongoing formation event; it was also a time to thank God for the 30th anniversary of our presence in Tanzania.
The gathering was graced by the presence of the Most Reverend Josephat Louis LEBULU, Archbishop Emeritus of Arusha, Tanzania; and the Secretary General for Formation (SGF) Friar Louis PANTHIRUVELIL, OFM Conv.
It was Archbishop LEBULU who had initially invited the friars to Tanzania, while he was the bishop of the Diocese of Same. In his talk, he told the friars about the importance of perseverance and sacrifice in their ministries. He expressed how pleased he was with the work the friars are doing, not only in the diocese of Same, but in other places as well.
Friar Louis, for his part, gave a talk on “The Renewal of Gospel Life in the Order and the Friars, in the Light of the New Constitutions”. His second talk was on “Interpersonal Conflicts in a Fraternity”.
During this gathering, the friars thanked Archbishop LEBULU for his support and care ever since the first friars arrived in Tanzania.
Likewise, the friars expressed their gratitude to Friar Dominik WASILEWSKI and Friar Piotr BUJNOWSKI, who in 1988, were the first friars to found a mission in Tanzania.
Friar Benson Gideon MAPUNDA, OFM Conv., Custodial Secretary
