Profession of young confreres in Namugongo

On April 30, 2016, during a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. John Baptist Keraryo Opargiw, Secretary General of Formation, the following fourteen finalist novices made their First Religious Profession: Abreham Habte Mariem (Ethiopia); Angella Gabriel (Uganda); Arionzi Ronald (Uganda); Christopher Silwembe (Malawi/Zambia); Habtamu Masresha (Ethiopia); Harry Matuta (Malawi/Zambia); Inácio Manuel (Mozambique); Jeremias Salvador José (Mozambique); Kerry Mikisi (Kenya); Kevin Othieno (Kenya); Mathews Kutsaile (Malawi/Zambia); Matovu Edward (Uganda); Oscar Nyimbo (Malawi/Zambia); Vincent Turinawe (Uganda).

During the same ceremony, also the scholastic Ben Chola, from Malawi/Zambia and on missionary service in Uganda, made his Perpetual Religious Profession.

In attendance were Fr. Sylvester Hategekimana (Provincial Superior of Uganda), Fr. Joseph Maina (Provincial Superior of Kenya), Fr. Jose Luis Rodriguez (Provincial Superior of Mozambique), Fr. Edward Mayanja Kanyike (Provincial Superior of Malawi/Zambia) and Fr. Juan Nuñez (Vice Provincial Superior of Ethiopia). There were many other Comboni confreres and sisters, the local clergy, religious and the faithful. It was indeed a prayerful and joyful celebration. During his homily Fr. John Baptist thanked the Lord for the gift of the neo-professed and asked the Comboni Missionaries to warmly welcome them in the Institute. He further said that the religious vows the candidates were committing themselves to, were indeed a call and a gratuitous gift from the Lord as well as a commitment, that is, a life project that requires from each religious a daily, generous, radical and wholehearted response. After the Eucharist, there followed an agape meal for all the participants. Congratulations to our neo-professed!

Scholastic Ben Chola, from Zambia, made his perpetual profession.