In 1987 we moved our Postulancy to the Inter-Congregational Seminary (ICS).
December 2001 witnessed the official opening of the new Inter-Provincial Novitiate at Bauleni (Lusaka).
INTER-CONGREGATIONAL INSTITUTE IN BALAKA, MALAWI
The Inter-Congregational Seminary (ICS), an Institute of
Philosophy and Religious Studies was founded by the Association of Male
Religious in Malawi (AMRIM), in 1986, under the help and support of the
Episcopal Conference of Malawi. Before the establishment of the ICS, the
Religious and Missionary Congregations were sending their students either
outside the country or to the local diocesan seminaries for their basic
formation.
The ICS started initially with two congregations Society of
Mary (SMM) and the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ). Prior to
the completion of the construction of ICS buildings, formation began at the
Montfort house in the Media compound in 1986 with seven Montfort students.
In
1987, the common facilities and the Montfort Community buildings were
completed.
In 1988, the First Comboni students were enrolled. They were
residing together with Montfort students before their Community Houses were
completed.
The Order of the Discalced Carmelites (OCD) and the Holy Ghost
Fathers (CSSP) joined in 1990 and 1996 respectively. The Poverelle Sisters and
the Sacramentine Sisters joined the ICS in 1996, the Capuchin Franciscans in
2002 and in 2007 the Missionaries of Africa also joined ICS.
Among the many successes of the ICS is its inclusive
approach towards gender, being open from the beginning to admission of female
students. Throughout these years the ICS has accomplished the purpose for which
it was founded by providing academic and religious basic formation to students.
In 2010, the name of Inter-Congregational Seminary (ICS) was
changed to Inter-Congregational Institute (ICI). The change was because the
institute was now open to admit outside students, and start other courses. This
has contributed to the formation of many other people who followed a different
vocation and are now exemplary citizens in the civil society.
In the same year 2010, ICI was affiliated to the Catholic
University of Malawi (CUNIMA) and the 2010 finalists were awarded Diploma by
the CUNIMA.
From 2014 up to
date finalists are receiving degrees from CUNIMA
The main
competence of ICI lies in academic matters. The institution offers a three year
course of tertiary studies that are components of Philosophy, Religious studies
and social Sciences. Successful candidates are awarded Degrees and Diplomas
from CUNIMA, Diplomas and Certificates from ICI according to the courses
completed. ICI celebrated its silver jubilee in 2011.
Number of
Congregations (Five): Missionaries of Africa, Holy Ghost Fathers, Montfort
Missionaries, Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, and The Order of the
Discalced Carmelite.
The Comboni Balaka
Postulancy was opened in
the year 1986. Since its inception, 110 students have passed through it.
NOVITIATE –
BAULENI (LUSAKA)
The Comboni
Novitiate is situated in Bauleni Compound, Lusaka. It was opened in 2001 and
dedicated to the late confrere Fr. William Nyadru and to the other Comboni
Martyrs.
So far 105 novices have passed through our novitiate. At present there are 12
novices.