On September 13, 2026, the Provincial Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania joyfully celebrated the solemn profession of six friars during a Mass celebrated at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Church in King’azi, in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The event brought together the Conventual Franciscan friars, parishioners, families, friends, and many faithful who came to thank God for the gift of these vocations and to be with these six friars as they made their definitive commitment to religious life in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Mass was presided over by Friar Laurian Gaspar LASWAY, Vicar Custos of the Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania. In his homily, he reminded the friars of the profound meaning of their commitment and encouraged them to remain faithful to Christ, the Church, and their Franciscan vocation. He called them to live their consecration with humility, perseverance, fraternity, prayer, and generous service to God’s people.
During the Mass, the six friars solemnly professed their vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity, and committed themselves definitively to God as Conventual Franciscan friars. Their solemn profession marked an important milestone in their vocation and expressed their desire to faithfully follow Christ according to the Gospel and the example of St. Francis of Assisi.
The newly professed are Friars Robert Moris MSAFIRI, Selestino Ndiyanka BITAGERRAYO, Edger Alexander BINAMUNGU, Reginald Baraka PAUL, Wilson Richard MSHANA, and Sixmond Thadeus MRAMBA.
The presence of the friars and the parish faithful gave the celebration a strong sense of fraternity and communion. The parish community welcomed the members of the Franciscan family and joyfully joined them in praying for the perseverance and fidelity of the newly professed friars.
For the Custody of St. Maximilian M. Kolbe in Tanzania, the solemn profession of these six friars is a time of thanksgiving and hope. Their definitive “yes” is a gift, not only to the Order, but also to the Church and to the people whom they will serve through their Franciscan ministry.
As they begin this new stage of their consecrated life, the six friars have been entrusted to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, and all the saints of the Franciscan family. May these friars remain faithful to their vocation and become joyful witnesses of the Gospel, instruments of peace, and servants of God’s people.
Friar James Eden MALISA
