Hanga Abbey Gets a New Priest

On August 3rd, 2016 the monks of Hanga Abbey had a blessing of having one of their monks being ordained to priesthood. Fr. Bernard Mwanza, OSB, from Zambia, was ordained at a daughter house of Hanga Abbey, Ktibunga monastery in Zambia. Fr. Bernard was ordained by the local bishop of Mpika diocese, bishop Justine Mlenga. The ordination ceremony was well attended by people around Katibunga and several others from Tanzania including the monks of Hanga Abbey. The retired abbot of Hanga, Abbot Thadei Mhagama, OSB, led the group of monks from Hanga to Katibunga for the ceremony.

Congratulations to Fr. Bernard Mwanza for accepting the call to serve the Lord in his field.


Bishop Justine Mlenga saying ordination prayers over Fr. Bernard Mlenga, OSB.

Fr. Bernard Mwanza, OSB, after his ordination.

Priests line up to lay hands over the new priest

Fr. Bernard with abbot Thadei Mhagama, OSB, (left) and Prior Wilbrord Nzota, OSB, (right).

Fr. Bernard with relatives and friends

Bishop Justine with newly ordained Fr. Bernard and other priests

Abbey Visitors in July and August

For the months of July and August the abbey has the honor of having several visitors from Europe and United States of America. Miss Rachele Loglio from Italy was at the abbey from June until July. She worked at the abbey Health Center. Her particular work she accomplished was painting a new wall that fences the dispensary. All loved her work. Also with her from Italy are Mr. Lorenzo and Ms. Ginevra working at the Health Center as well as Elena and Guilo who are working at the abbey cattle farm.

From the US we have two young men graduates of St. John's University in Minnesota who will be staying at the abbey for one year. Of the two Mr. France (Afro-American) is working at the Health Center. Indeed Frater Lucius is grateful and happy to have these volunteers at the facility. He describes them as enthusiastic, energetic and good planners!

Meanwhile a group of thirteen Italians are visiting the abbey this August. They went to Lake Nyasa where are planning to help the locals with a kindergarten school. The group is led by Ms. Barbara.

Rachele Loglio painting a fence wall

In the photo, from left, Mr. France, Lorenzo and Ginevra

Ms. Ginevra and Mr. Lorenzo

Hanga Abbey: Blessing of Abbot Octavian Massingo, OSB.

On Saturday, July 30, 2016, Fr. Octavian Massingo, OSB, received a blessing as the third abbot of St. Maurus Hanga Abbey. Fr. Octavian was elected in January by the monks to be their abbot.  Archbishop Damian Dallu of the archdiocese of Songea presided at the mass of the blessing. Other bishops present at the blessing ceremony were bishops John Ndimboe of Mbinga diocese, bishop Alfred Maluma of the diocese of Njombe, bishop Edward Mapunda of the diocese of Singida (the native diocese of Abbot Octavian) and the retired bishop of Mbinga diocese bishop Emmanuel Mapunda. There were also five Benedictine abbots namely: abbot Anastasius OSB, of Peramiho abbey, abbot Placidus Mtunguja, OSB, of Ndanda abbey, abbot Denis Ndomba, OSB, of Mvimwa abbey, and the retired abbots of Hanga, abbots Alcuin Nyirenda, OSB, and Thadei Mhagama and also abbot Basil Ngaponda, OSB, retired abbot of Mvimwa. Many priests, nuns and religious men from different communities around the country attended the ceremony not to mention the lay people.

Abbot Octavian Massingo, who is 40 years old, takes the chair as an abbot after Abbot Thadei Mhagama, OSB, who headed the community from 2004 to 2016. Abbot Octavian was elected in January 2016 and was blessed this July after finishing his Masters degree in administration at St. Augustine University in Mwanza, Tanzania. For the six months January to June the abbey was under the leadership of Prior Frater Jerome Mlelwa, OSB.

We congratulate Abbot Octavian Massiongo, OSB, for being elected an abbot and accepting the responsibility of being a leader!

Prior Jerome Mlelwa, OSB, welcoming guests and making introduction of the abbatial blessing ceremony.

Archbishop Damian Dallu praying over Abbot Octavian during the abbatial blessing mass

Abbot Octavian after his blessing.

Abbot Octavian with bishop Alfred Maluma of Njombe diocese.

Bishops and abbots congratulating abbot Octavian

Abbot Massingo getting some exhortation from his father

The parents of abbot Octavian Massingo

Congratulations from lay people

                                                Abbot Octavian with bishops and abbots

Abbot Octavian receiving handshake of congratulations from different people

Abbot Octavian with the retired bishop Emmanuel Mapunda.

Government officials were present at the ceremony including Namtumbo District Commissioner Happiness Mamlima.

A mass choir comprised of monks, nuns and Hanga parishioners

Novices from Lighano Monastery Return to their Monastery from Hanga Abbey

Lighano monastery is a diocesan religious community of men in the archdiocese of Songea in Southern Tanzania. The Brothers under the diocesan bishop, lead monastic life following the Rule of St. Benedict but they are not called Benedictines. They have adopted a missionary spirit under the patronage of St. Paul the apostle.

For sometime they have been struggling with getting formators for their novices. Then the archbishop, Damian Dallu, asked the monks of Hanga Abbey to take charge of novices from Lighano for their monastic life formation, at least for a moment. Indeed it happened with two novices coming to Hanga in September of 2015. This July the novices have returned to Lighano Monastery and will make their first profession in August. We pray for the two novices and for Lighano monastery Brothers to grow in number and holiness.

In the photo: the two novices from Lighano Monasery and Fr. Onesmo. From left novice Stefano Miteka, Fr.  Onesmo Komba, and novice John Paulo Tawa.

The Superior Fr. Onesmo Komba of Lighano Monastery giving speech at the farewell dinner for the two novices

The Novice Master of Hanga Abbey, Frater Achiles, giving address at the farewell dinner

Prior Frater Jerome Mlelwa, OSB, saying a word of goodbye to the novices.

Abbot Octavian Massingo, OSB, Installation at Hanga Abbey

On July 9th  Fr. Octavian Massingo, OSB, was installed as the new abbot of Hanga Abbey. He was elected in January 23, 2016. He was not installed sooner so that he could finish his Master's Degree studies which he completed this last June. 

In the photo: Abbot Octavian at the superiors chair ni the abbey church.

The installation ceremony took place during vespers in the presence of the monks of Hanga Abbey. The ritual was carried by Abbot Anastasius of Peramiho abbey in the name of the abbot president of St. Ottilen Congregation, Archabbot Jeremias. It involved the installing abbot to lead the new abbot to the official superior chair in the abbey church and being given a document of his installation. Then all the monks present had the opportunity to shank hands with the new abbot. Finally, the new abbot gave his first abbatial blessing to the monks.

Later on on July 30 the new abbot will receive a blessing by the archbishop of the archdiocese of Songea in which ceremony many people and invited guests will attend.

In the photo: Abbot Anastasius installing the new abbot at the abbatial chair in the abbey church.








Monks shaking hands with the new abbot



  








Abbot Octavian is blessing the congregation at the conclusion of his installation ceremony