Celebrating the Year of Faith 2013 at Hanga

The year of faith, 0213, as promulgated by the former pope Benedict has taken quite a stride in Tanzania. The Conference of Bishops in Tanzania has arranged that each diocese have a special crucifix that will be taken around parishes to invigorate the faithful in this year of faith.

At Hanga parishionesr, monks at the abbey with students from the abbey institutions had their turn to pay venerate the crucifix for the archdiocese of Songea from April 16-19. It was time for prayer and reflection. May the Jesus strengthen us all in our daily struggles in this year of faith.

Processing with the crucifix to the abbey church; monks, students and parishioners participated.

 

  

After three days of venerating the crucifix at Hanga, the monks, parishioners, and students handed it over to Msalaba Mkuu parish. Fr. Elias Chale of Hanga parish handed it over officially to the pastor of Msalaba Mkuu Fr. Cosmas Mhagama. 

 The parishioners of Msalaba Mkuu marching off with the crucifix

Celebrating Palm (Passion) Sunday at Hanga

It has become a custom for the community of Hanga to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass together involving the monks and students from all school run by the abbey, namely Hanga Religious Seminary, Hanga Vocational Training School, St. Benedict Secondary School, and St. Laurent Pre and Primary school. Indeed it is always a colorful day with students from the four school wearing different uniforms and participating fully in the liturgy. this year Mass was presided by Fr. Chrysostom, OSB, the rector of Hanga Religious seminary assisted by Deacon Frater Ansgar Kaisile, OSB. The choir was an alternating singing shared among the school for it was a youth day. The liturgy was exuberant!
The liturgy and procession begun at St. Pirmin's guest house to the abbey church about 250m. 

Below see pictures of monks and students during the liturgy and procession.