On the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Consolata family in the Region of Tanzania-Madagascar and in the entire world, directed their prayers and petitions to God for the 27 novices who professed their first religious vows at Bunju, in the Catholic Diocese of Bagamoyo.
By Michael Mille*
On Transfiguration Feast
This is the feast day in which Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, revealed His glory that was hidden during His life here on earth. The voice of the Father is the foundation of this event, confirming that Jesus is God’s beloved Son, the one who fulfills the Father’s will, the very one whom we are called to listen to.
Through His voice, Jesus calls the 27 novices from 6 nations namely: Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, DRC Congo, and Ethiopia, to unite with Him and with the Church through the Consolata Missionary Institute by making their first vows.
May Mother Mary Consolata be an intercessor for these novices, praying to God for them so that they may continue to respond to His voice and carry the Gospel to all people in the world as loving missionaries and bringers of comfort to God’s people.
Religious Vows
A religious vow is a public, sacred promise made before the Church through which a person fully dedicates their life to God in response to His love. It encompasses the three evangelical counsels of poverty, which involves renouncing material possessions to follow Christ selflessly; chastity, which directs the heart entirely to God through pure love and self-restraint; and obedience, which requires submitting one’s personal will to legitimate superiors in faith, following the ultimate example of Christ. The 27 novices took vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
A deliberate commitment
During the religious profession, the novices asked to the Consolata Missionaries through a legal superior, to be admitted to the family with these words: “We here present, desiring to commit ourselves to the work of evangelization, have tried out the life and studied the Constitutions of the Consolata Missionaries. Father, we now ask to be allowed to dedicate ourselves to God and his Kingdom, by making profession in this Congregation.
And the Tanzania-Madagascar Regional Superior Fr. Rodrick Minja, accepted their petition and entrusted them to God with the following words: “Lord, look upon these servants of yours who are resolved to dedicate their lives to you by making profession of the evangelical counsels in the presence of your Church today. Mercifully grant that their manner of life may bring glory to your name and further your loving plan of redemption. We ask this through Christ our Lord.”
A Lifelong Commitment to God
In religious life, vows are not an ordinary matter or a temporary declaration. They are a crucial step in which a religious person surrenders themselves to God and decides to live out their Christian calling more deeply.
For Consolata Missionaries, this life is closely linked to the mission of reaching people and proclaiming the Gospel. The history of the Institute shows that its mission is centered on proclaiming Christ and reaching people in various parts of the world. Tanzania itself has been an important part of the history of the Consolata Missionaries’ apostolate for over a century.
The vows associated with religious life require a person to live with fidelity, discipline, prayer, and self-giving to God. Thus, the day of making vows is not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new stage of life carrying greater responsibilities.
Placing Christ at the Center
In his homily, Bishop Stefano Musomba, OSA, the Prelate of the Catholic Diocese of Bagamoyo, reminded the faithful and the novices of the importance of recognizing that religious and missionary life begins with God’s call. “A person does not enter this life for personal gain, popularity, or seeking an easy life, but to follow Christ and dedicate themselves to God’s people,” he said.
The promise made before the altar must be proven through actions, character, obedience, love, humility, and a spirit of service. Therefore, for the novices who made their vows, the main challenge is not merely uttering the promises, but living those promises every day.
On the same token, Fr. Rodrick Minja, during his word of gratitude to God for this event, urged the newly professed members to commit their lives to evangelization, and put Christ at the centre of their life.
Missionary Life Requires Self-Giving
The mission of the Consolata Missionaries requires a heart ready to go wherever the Church needs the presence of witnesses to the Gospel. The history of the Institute in Tanzania shows how missionaries have spent their lives in evangelization and service to the people. During the celebration of 100 years of the Consolata presence in Tanzania, the Institute emphasized that the celebrations were more than self-congratulation; they were a way of thanking God, who is the source of the mission.
Thus, a missionary’s vow must bear fruit in service. A missionary is called to be a person of the people, to listen, teach, encourage, comfort the suffering, and be a witness of Christ in various environments.
Joy of the Church
The vows celebrated at Bunju Mission Centre should be viewed as an event for the entire Church. It is a joy for the Consolata Missionary Institute, the families of the novices, the faithful, and the Catholic Diocese of Bagamoyo.
For the novices themselves, that day marked the start of a new journey to learn more about knowing Christ, living a community life, and preparing for the mission of the Church.
The overarching message from this event is that vows are not merely spoken promises, but promises intended to be made visible in one’s life. It is a call to love God, love the Church, and surrender oneself for the people.
On this basis, the journey of these Consolata youths needs continued support through prayers, formation, and the love of the community of believers. The Church receives the gift of their calling, but it also carries the responsibility of praying for them so that they remain faithful to the call they have received.
Meanwhile, on the same occasion, 17 young missionaries professed their first ever religious vows in the Region of Kenya-Uganda.
A Call to the Youth
The profession of vows is also a message to young people that the Church still needs them to give themselves for the sake of the Gospel. In a world that emphasizes personal success, wealth, and pleasure, religious life provides a different testimony: that life can be offered for God and in service to others.
May the Virgin Mary Consolata, Mother and Comforter of Missionaries, guide the newly professed members on their journey of following Christ and serving the people of God.
*Fr Michael Mille, IMC Tanzania-Madagascar working in ENENDENI Magazine.
