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Fr. Joachim M. Ndelianaruwa died in the early morning of January 22 after a very short illness of malaria and pneumonia.

He was born on April 14, 1966 at Marangu, in Kilimanjaro Region, in northern Tanzania.  He was born to a Christian family; the son of Ignas Ndesingon and Marcela Ngelyakyau.  From 1976 to 1982, he attended Primary School Education at Komalyangoe; after the death of both his parents he went to live with his elder brother in the City of Mwanza, where from 1983 to 1986 he attended Certificate of Secondary Education at Lake Secondary School. Thereafter, from 1987 to 1989 he attended Advanced Secondary School Education at Mzumbe Secondary School in Morogoro.

While at Mzumbe, he came to know the Missionaries of the Precious Blood and contacted the vocation promoter. In 1991-92 he began formation at Miyuji Formation House in Dodoma, followed by philosophical studies from 1992 to 1994 at Kibosho Seminary in Moshi.  He returned to Miyuji the following years (1994/95).  Then he began his theological studies at Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Morogoro.  Thereafter, he ministered during his Pastoral year at Itigi Parish, before returning for his final year of theology at Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology in 1999/2000 academic year.

He became a Definitively Incorporated member of the Congregation on the Feast of St. Gaspar, Oct 21, 1999. He celebrated his deacon ordination  on December 12, 1999; he was ordained a priest on July 7, 2000.

His first assignment was as Assistant Parish Priest of Kunduchi Mtongani Parish in Dar es Salaam; but in November 2001 he was appointed to the office of Assistant Procurator and began a Certificate Program in Commerce and Bookkeeping.  From Sept 2002 to June 2006 he worked as Procurator and Treasurer, with residence at Procura in Dar es Salaam  and at Kisasa Vicariate Headquarters in Dodoma.

From July 2006 to June 2010, he was elected Vicariate Director; he was the first Tanzania native to be elected as Major Superior.  His final assignment, from July 2010 to his death, was to serve as assistant Parish priest of St. Gaspar Mbezi Parish in Dar es Salaam; while pursuing a law degree at Tumaini University, Dar es Salaam Branch.

The untimely death of Fr. Joachim has left all missionaries and friends in shock. He was a cheerful person, with a large smile always on his face. He was very pleased to be able to guide the progress of the newly established Vicariate of Tanzania in the fidelity of the charism of the Congregation, as we sought to inculturate the charism in the African situation and lifestyle. The very many people who have been present at his burial show the great respect they had for this generous and kind missionary. Now he rests in peace in the cemetery of the Vicariate in Manyoni. All the missionaries in Tanzania join together to thank God for the gift Joachim was for all of us and for the Church.

Text and photo courtesy of Eugene Nchimbi, CPPS- CPPS Tanzania[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]