On Sunday, August 6, 2023, the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, thirteen novices made their first profession of temporary vows at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Kitwe, Zambia. The novices professed their vows into the hands of the Vicar Provincial, Friar Kayombo Matthew MUKOSAYI.
Two of the newly professed were from Kenya, Friars Andrew Ogalo ANGATIA and Ian Kiptoo SANG; two were from Tanzania, John Joel MICHAEL and Benedict Thomas KIPINGU and nine were from Zambia: Allan CHILESHE, Bernard Kalenga SHAMBOKO, Isaac CHISHA, Daniel PHIRI, Kelvin Mwila Mwansa CHANDA, Steven MWALE, Clement MATAKA, Haggai Malama CHISALA and Emmanuel CHAMA.
In his Sunday homily, the Vicar Provincial exhorted the novices who were professing to faithfully live the evangelical vows of obedience, poverty and chastity. He asked them to seek the presence of the Lord and His graces through constant prayer. He also told them to live their vowed life every day and to live it in community, because the community is a core value for Conventual Franciscan friars. The community is a source of support and strength for living out one’s vowed life and apostolate.
Friar Mathews KASONGO, Provincial Secretary