Frater Octavian Masingo, OSB, of St. Maurus Hanga Abbey Ordained a Deacon

In the photos: top left: Deacon Octavian Masingo, OSB, with Fr. Bruno Haule, OSB.

top left: Deacon Frater Masingo with his young brother Venance Masingo and archbishop Nortbet Mtega, of archdiocese of Songea.

Bottom: Deacon Frater Octavian Masingo, OSB, with his young brother Venance Masingo.

On the 6th of January 2010 the community of St. Maurus Hanga Abbey was happy to have one of their members, Br. Octavian Masingo, OSB, become a cleric by being ordained a transitional deacon toward priesthood. Bishop Alfred Maluma of Njome diocese ordained Brother at the cathedral of the archdiocese of Songea on the day that the archibishop of Songea, Norbert Mtega, was enaugurating his 25th anniversary as a bishop.

Br. Octavian comes from Dung'unyi parish is Singida - northern Tanzania. He made his first monastic vows in 2003 and his final profession in 2009 as a benedictine of St. Maurus Hanga Abbey. He studies his theology at Peramiho Major seminary in archdiocese of Songea. We are praying and looking forward to his ordination to priesthood this summer 2010.

Pengo Cardinal Policarp blesses a Chapel at a Formation Center

On December 3rd, 2009, the Cardinal of Tanzania his Right Cardinal Policarp Pengo, visited Hanga and thereby blessing a little chapel at the formation Center in Nakagugu a place to form youths who consider to become monks of Hanga Abbey. The chapel has been constructed due to the efforts of the retired bishop Placidus Gervasius Nkalanga, OSB, who just celebrated 25 years of monastic life as Benedictine monk at Hanga Abbey in July 2009. Many gratitued to him and his benefactors.

In the photos: the cardinal is blessing the chapel and some of the priests who celebrated the mass for the blessing. Present in the picture are also Abbot Thadei Mhagama, OSB, of Hanga Abbey, the cardinal, and bishop Placidus Gervasius Nkalanga, OSB.

Commemoration of HIV/AIDS day takes place at Hanga

The world HIV/AIDS day, December 1, 2009, in the district of Natumbo in Ruvuma region in sothern Tanzania was celebrated at Hanga Abbey grounds. Several district's officials were present and gave speeches to warn people of the HIC/AIDS calamity. Hanga Abbey has proved to be a good venue for such convocations due to its good serices in terms of food and
accommodation.


In the photos the audience is watching a drama on HIV/AIDS and listening to a speech given by one of the government officials.

The Benedictine Oblates of Hanga Abbey Increasing in Number

November 20th, 2009 at Hanga Abbey church two novice oblates made their final oblation to become spiritually associated with the monks of Hanga Abbey. So far there is a total of 85 oblates of the abbey and the number is growing. Fr. Gregory Mwageni, OSB, is the director of the oblates of the abbey. We wish all the oblates stability and growth as they try to live St. Benedict's Rule in their lay environments.