A New Year of Faith, Formation, and Fellowship

Visit of the Provincials of Trichy and Senegal

At the beginning of the year, we welcomed Bro. Irudayam Michael and Bro. Etienne Ka, Provincials of Trichy and Senegal respectively, who were visiting the Province with the main objective of meeting their formees, who are undergoing the Novitiate and Pre-Novitiate Formation Program. We thank them for taking the time to visit us; it was a joy for us to welcome and accompany them on their visit to our institutions and to some places of interest. This visit provided them with valuable insights into the life and mission of Brothers in East Africa, along with exposure to local culture and traditions as it was their maiden visit.

First Death Anniversary of Bro. James N. A.

On February 13, 2025, we commemorated the first death anniversary of Bro. James N.A. with memorial services held at various places. At Boys Town Hyderabad, family members, including his siblings and their families, gathered alongside Brothers from the Provinces of Hyderabad and Pune. Bros. Jean Chrysostome and Anaclet Kabirigi represented the Province of East Africa at this solemn occasion. The commemoration included a Memorial Mass, prayers at the cemetery, and communal meals. Simultaneously, at the Provincial House in Montfort Dar Es Salaam, the local Parish Priest presided over a special Holy Mass in the presence of a number of Religious men and women along with students and staff of Montfort and a fellowship meal afterwards. At Montfort, Rujewa, the Memorial Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Romanus Mihali, bishop-elect of Iringa Diocese, with students, staff, and other well-wishers. It was an occasion to celebrate the life well-lived well by Bro. James and to pray for him. The Provincial Superior released a book on this occasion as a tribute to Bro. James N. A.

Bro. Saturnino Attends ‘Talithakum’ International Seminar

Bro. Saturnino Corneli Marandu, member of the international JPIC commission and Coordinator of our Kenya mission, participated in a seminar titled "Empowering a Brighter Tomorrow: A Reflection on the Talithakum International Kenya Meeting and the Fight Against Modern Slavery." He reports:

On February 24-25, 2025, Talithakum International Kenya (TIK) held a crucial meeting at the Dimesse Retreat Centre, bringing together congregation contact persons, Youth Ambassadors, government officials, interreligious representatives from Mombasa and Garissa, and other key stakeholders. As a RAHT-Kenya team member, I was privileged to attend this collaborative gathering, which highlighted the urgent need for collective action against human trafficking, modern slavery, and child labour.

The Montfort Brothers have stepped into the light in a world where shadows often lurk. In December 2024, we hosted a youth forum in Kima that focused on piercing through the darkness of covert human trafficking, child labour, and the devastating effects of drugs on the youth. It was not just any forum; it was an opportunity to equip 115 young people from the surrounding areas of Kima village with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to combat these issues in their communities.

Burundian Bishops' Visit

On February 27, 2025, we hosted three Bishops from Burundi: Msgr. Salvator Niciteretse (Diocese of Bururi), Msgr. Georges Bizimana (Diocese of Ngozi), and Msgr. Joachim Ntahandereye (Diocese of Muyinga). They joined us for a meal and toured our campus, extending invitations to establish missions in their dioceses. We were delighted to welcome them and appreciate their support, especially since some of our Brothers come from their dioceses. We are hopeful that one day we shall have our presence in their Dioceses.

Inauguration of Our Lady's Grotto at Montfort, Dar Es Salaam

On March 1, 2025, the Montfort Community in Dar es Salaam celebrated the inauguration and blessing of the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The ceremony began at 6:30 a.m. with Provincial Superior, Bro. Jimmy inaugurating the Grotto, followed by a solemn blessing of the Grotto and Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Patrick Bwakila, Parish Priest of Yombo Vituka. Attendees included Religious men and women, members of the Louis Montfort small Christian Community, Leggio Maria, and students and staff from our Dar Es Salaam institutions. In his homily, Fr. Bwakila encouraged the faithful to honour Mother Mary and utilise the Grotto as a sacred place for prayer and meditation on divine mysteries revealed through the Blessed Mother.

In his reflective remarks, the Provincial Superior thanked the Almighty for transforming a long-cherished dream into reality. He reminded the congregation of the Montfortians' special devotion to Mother Mary, emphasising the significance of the Rosary and other devotional practices in their daily spiritual life. Beyond appreciating the Grotto's aesthetic beauty, he ardently encouraged the community to engage actively in spiritual activities within this sacred space. Moreover, he publicly acknowledged Brother Johnson's pivotal role as the driving force behind various campus projects, including the Grotto of Our Lady.

Bro. Jimmy Kalapurayil, SG

Provincial Superior