What a great celebration it was! All the local Catholics wanted to be there. "How could I miss it?" was the refrain heard over and over again on their lips. The church was packed to capacity. The choir gave an excellent demonstration of their singing artistry. The young liturgical dancers (called 'stars' in the local language) were in great form, and those present rhythmised their dances with frenzied clapping.
Presiding over the solemn ceremony was the vicar-general of the diocese, standing in for the bishop who was prevented from being present by an unforeseen mishap. Around him were more than 30 Comboni priests and brothers, who had recently finished their annual spiritual retreat.
Great was the spirit of communion and true joy felt by all, especially by the more than 100 special guests, hosted in our new Youth Centre at the Combonian community in Chizongwe.
Days like these are needed! In the end, we felt confirmed in our calling and more determined than ever to continue without tiring. We spurred each other on to commit ourselves with renewed determination to ensure that 2023, the year of our Golden Jubilee (our missionary ministry began in Malawi in 1973, in the Archdiocese of Blantyre), will be a time of profound gratitude to the brothers who wrote the first chapters of our history in Malawi-Zambia, and of renewal so that we can continue our work of evangelisation in these two wonderful nations.
We have several projects planned, which we believe to be good and great, and we are determined to do our best to carry them out.
May God be praised, and may he help us to live in synodality with our people to help carry out St Daniel Comboni's dream: 'Save Africa with Africa'.
Fr. Carlos Alberto Nunes