On August 18, 2016, the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in the Province of Tanzania, celebrated the Golden Jubilee of C.PP.S presence in Tanzania. The celebration took place at the Ascension Church of Manyoni Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Singida. The Mass was presided over by Rt. Rev. Edward Mapunda the bishop of Singida diocese in the presence of V. Rev. Chesco Msaga, the Provincial Director and a number of missionaries of the Province and some diocesan priests.
The first three missionaries of the Congregation, Fr. Dino Gioia, Fr. Joseph Montenegro and Br. Franco Palumbo, arrived in Tanzania on May 19, 1966 on invitation of Rt Rev. Jeremiah Pesce, the then bishop of Dodoma diocese, and they opened the first house and parish at Manyoni in 1967. Fifty years later, successors of these three pioneers decided to go back to the roots of the Congregation in Tanzania and celebrate the jubilee.
In his speech, Bishop Mapunda acknowledged the contribution the Congregation has made to the diocese of Singida beginning from Fr. Dino Gioia who was Vicar General of the Diocese. The Congregation also ministers in Manyoni, Itigi and Chibumagwa parishes, sponsors human promotion activities in the area of health, education, water and evangelization in general. The bishop also noted that the presence of Missionaries of the Precious Blood facilitated the coming of several women religious congregations to the diocese like Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul, and Ursuline Sisters. Bishop Mapunda urged the Congregation for more collaboration in the diocese and requested that they open one or two more parishes in Manyoni to bring services closer to the people since the town is growing fast.
In addition to the Golden Jubilee, the Province also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ordinations of Fr. Onesphory Kayombo and Fr. Felix Mushobozi, the first two Tanzanians to be ordained. Deacon Marco Loth was also ordained a priest during the celebration.
The Missionaries were also celebrated with a release of a new book on Precious Blood Spirituality which was written by Rev. Vedasto Ngowi, C.PP.S. The book, Damu Ya Kristo; Maisha Halisi which means The Blood of Christ; Real Life. The celebration concluded with the laying of a corner stone of a new fence for the parish church in honor of the Golden Jubilee followed by a festive meal.
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