Month: March 2015
Our M.Afr students in Rome, 2015.
Many confreres have studied in Rome, both at the PISAI and the Pontifical Gregorian University. This year, three students are taking the bus every day to go to school: Pascal Imani Kapilimba originally from DRCongo studying at the PISAI and Gilles Efiyo from DRCongo and Evariste Some from Burkina Faso, both at the Gregorian. Note that Evariste was Parish Priest at Serenje, Zambia up to 2013.
See the site of the famous Gregorian with a visit conducted by Evariste through the streets of Rome. Look at the beautiful architecture of the main building built between 1927 and 1930.
The Pontifical Gregorian University (From wikipedia.org)
Originally founded as the Collegio Romano in 1551 by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Society of Jesus, otherwise known as the Jesuits. Its present name was given by Pope Gregory XIII. Containing faculties and institutes of various disciplines of the humanities, the Gregorian has one of the largest and most distinguished theology departments in the world, with over 1600 students from over 130 countries.
General Audience of Pope Francis at the Vatican – March 18, 2015
The participants of the session for Secretaries and Archivists were given an opportunity to see Pope Francis at the Vatican for the General Audience on Wednesday morning the 18th March. As usual, a large crowd invaded the square in the hope to see the Pope closely and hear his message centered on family life. By chance, it was a lovely and shining day contrary to the previous damps and cold weather. The atmosphere is festive as names of pilgrims groups are announced in various languages including Arabic.
Click on the picture to see the video.
Session for Secretaries and Archivists in Rome – March 16-20, 2015
The session animated by André Schaminée, Pello Sala and François Richard took place in the renovated section of the Generalate while some repairs are still going on in other places such as the rooms above the dining room.
A total of 21 participants came from various parts of the world to learn the so called ‘Rudi’ software program which contain the overall database system of the Society; names of confreres, their appointments and other useful data. This will hopefully enable the Secretaries to share data while centralising them in the Office of the Secretariat in Rome.
The second topic on the agenda, meaning the archives, was presented by François Richard. The participants were given the chance to visit the documentations including old pictures and the first manuscripts signed by the Cardinal Lavigerie who is buried in the crypt under the main chapel.
A Gule Wamkulu sculpture from Kungoni Centre of Culture and Art, Mua, Malawi is in full view in the archives rooms making sure that everything is well kept!
Many thanks for this first ever session which as long overdue. Everyone was pleased to learn something new and to enjoy good food.
Death of the father of John Itaru, M.Afr in Zambia
Dear confreres, I come through this email to inform you that my father Fabian Itaru Kavishe passed away today the 19th of March in Dar es Salaam – Tanzania. He was sick for relatively short time. I am in Lusaka Zambia and hopeful I will be heading to Tanzania within the next days.
I county on your prayers during this painful moment especially for my mother who must it very difficult to bear.
May his soul rest in Peace.
Fr. John Itaru, M.Afr
Missionaries of Africa - SAP Province 