Mozambique: Comboni Missionaries Sow Hope for 80 Years

Fr. Codianni, accompanied by the Provincial Superior of Mozambique, Fr. José Joaquim Luis Pedro, celebrated Mass with the young men beginning their formation journey at the Nampula pre-postulancy. The pre-postulants welcomed such illustrious guests with drumming and songs of joy.

On the morning of Sunday, August 16, it was the novitiate community’s turn to welcome the Superior General. Fathers Francisco Machado and Elias Samuel, novice master and his assistant, respectively, introduced the novices and all shared some community moments with Fr. Codianni.

The Superior General and the members of the novitiate community planted two fruit trees as a sign of hope for the Province of Mozambique and for the entire Comboni Institute.

This symbolic act, part of the celebrations for the 80^th anniversary of the Combonians in Mozambique, is a visible sign of hope as we follow in the footsteps of all our brothers and priests who have worked in these beautiful mission lands. May we, young missionaries, be inspired by the zeal and missionary service of those who have gone before us.

After the tree planting ceremony, the Superior General returned to the pre-postulancy. Fr. Faustino Paluko and Bro. José Valverde, the formators, along with the young men, shared their experiences and concerns with Fr. Codianni.

The celebrations for the 80 years of the Comboni presence in Mozambique also include the provincial retreat, from August 17 to 22, at the Anchilo Catechetical Center in the Archdiocese of Nampula, preached by the Superior General, and a celebration on August 23 at the Carapira Mission in the Diocese of Nacala.

During the commemoration in Carapira, Mozambican Comboni missionary Felizardo Azevedo will be ordained a deacon.

Bro. José Valverde, MCCJ