On August 2, 2026, the feast of Our Lady, Queen of Angels, the Conventual Franciscan friars in Tanzania joyfully celebrated as sixteen confreres made their first profession of vows. The ceremony took place at the St. Noe Mawagali Parish Church in Makumira Outstation, Tanzania.
Of the sixteen newly professed friars, eight came from the Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania, six came from the Province of St. Francis of Assisi in Kenya, and two came from the Provincial Delegation in Uganda.
Others attending the joyful celebration included the Minister Provincial of the Mother Province of the Immaculate Mother of God in Poland (Warsaw), Friar Piotr ŻURKIEWICZ; the Vicar Provincial of the Province of St. Francis in Kenya, Friar Joseph KIKUYU; and the Custos of the Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania, Friar Denis Dominick KUNAMBI. Also present were many friars from the different friaries in Tanzania, men and women religious, family members, and lay faithful.
The first profession of vows was an important step in the lives of these young friars as they freely committed themselves to following Christ in the Conventual Franciscan way of life, through the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
It was truly a joyful and grace-filled occasion for the entire Franciscan family. Together, we thanked God for the gift of vocations to the Order and to the Church at large, and we prayed that these newly professed friars may remain faithful to their vocation and serve God and His people with joy, humility, and perseverance.
May God bless our newly professed friars and strengthen them in their Franciscan vocation!
Friar Eden James MALISA, Custodial Secretary
