Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Fr. Winfrid Mlowe, OSB, of Hanga Abbey Dies

One of the earliest monks of Hanga Abbey and the founder of Hanga Religious Seminary, Fr. Winfrid Mlowe, OSB, died on May 12, 2017. Fr. Winfrid has been suffering parkinson disease for over 15 years. His death was caused by uncontrolable coughing. He succumbed to death as he was being rushed to a hospital. Fr. Mlowe spent his last three years of his life at Imiliwaha Sisters Convent, in Njombe diocese, serving the nuns in confessions and masses.

At abbey he held many key positions. He was a novice master for many years and he was a no nonsense monk. He also was the first monk of Hanga conventual Priory to be an accountant. In 1978 he was charged by conventual Prior Gregory Mwageni, OSB, to establish Hanga Religious Seminary in cooperation with the Augustinian monks who just come to the archdiocese of Songea from Spain.

In 1989 he was elected the prior of Hanga Monastery until 1993 when the monastery became an abbey. Latter he was assigned to Katibunga monastery, Zambia. Due to his dwindling health and signs of parkinson disease he returned to Tanzania staying at Nole Farm in Njombe.

Indeed, of all that he did for the community of Hanga abbey, he will particularly be remembered for his legacy in sending many monks to schools and establishing Hanga Religious Seminary.

We pray that the good Lord rewards him with eternal life for which he dedicated his life.

1 comment:

  1. I am truly saddened to hear about the passing of Fr. Winfred Mlowe, OSB. I was a student at Hanga Junior Seminary, 1963-1966, and Fr. Mlowe taught us. I remember him very much as a vivacious and inspiring teacher. He taught us English verb structure, for example, in his dramatic style, very like a rap artist! I surely enjoyed his teaching. For years many years, I did not know his whereabouts, and I appreciate reading about his life in those years here. May God rest his soul in Eternal Peace. Amen.

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