Bicentennial Celebration and Elevation of the Province of Tanzania

On August 8, 2015 over two thousand people gathered at the St. Gaspar Hotel and Conference Center in Dodoma, Tanzania to mark the Bicentennial of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. In addition to this momentous event, the Missionaries also marked the transition of the Vicariate of Tanzania to the newly erected Province of Tanzania.

The celebrations began in the evening of August 7 with the Evening Prayer presided over by Fr. Reginald Mrosso, C.PP.S, the Vicariate Director and it concluded with a Eucharistic Celebration on August 8. The mass was presided over by Archbishop Beatus Kinyaiya, OFMCap, of Dodoma and he was joined by Bishop Mathias Isuja Joseph, Bishop Emeritus of Dodoma, Bishop Edward Mapunda, Bishop of Singida, Bishop Titus Mdoe, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Dar-es-Salaam, and Bishop Telesphor Mkude, Bishop of Morogoro.

Present also were many representatives from the Missionaries of the Precious Blood including V. Rev. William Nordenbrock, C.PP.S., Moderator General and V. Rev. Oliviero Magnone, C.PP.S., Provincial Director of the Italian Province, V. Rev. Wojciech Czernatowicz, C.PP.S., Provincial Director of the Polish Province, V. Rev. Shaji Kunnel, C.PP.S., Vicariate Director of the Indian Vicariate, and Rev. Ilija Grgic, C.PP.S. Director of the Croatian Mission.

Many people came to the celebrations from the various places were the Missionaries have ministered in Tanzania over the years including Dar-es-Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Chibumagwa, Itigi, and Manyoni. Diocesan priests and religious from many other communities also took part in the liturgies.

The Missionaries of the Precious Blood began ministering in Tanzania in 1967 in the village of Manyoni. Rev. Giuseppe Montenegro, C.PP.S., one of the first missionaries in Tanzania, was at the celebration and members of the first families to welcome the missionaries were present as well.

Following the eucharistic celebration many of the dignitaries offered their gratitude for the ministry of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood. Prominent at the liturgy were several symbols of the history of the Congregation including a piece of stone from San Felice di Giano, the Abbey where St. Gaspar founded the Congregation, a flag of the new Province, and the lighting of the eighth candle signifying the birth of the 8th Province of the C.PP.S in the world. Four pigeons were flown in the air signifying peace and birth of a new life.

Article and pictures provided by Rev. Egidius Seneda, C.PP.S.

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Members of the new Province of Tanzania, along with visiting Missionaries and bishops, pose for a group photo.

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Hundreds of children and families from places where the Missionaries served were present for the festivities.

Rev. Giuseppe Montenegro, C.PP.S. is joined by the families who welcomed him in 1967.

Dozens of priests from around the world concelebrated during the liturgy.

Adorers of the Blood of Christ join in the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Congregation.

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Tags: Bicentennial, Province of Tanzania

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