From September 1 to 27 in Rome, the General Office for Formation held the second ongoing formation course for a group of Consolata Missionaries celebrating their Jubilee, who in this six-year period are marking 25 years of priestly ordination and/or religious profession.
By Deogratias Makei Mlay *
Guided by several experts, the participants reflected on important themes of consecrated life and mission, visited historical places in Rome, Florence, Assisi, as well as the roots of the Institute in Turin and Castelnuovo Don Bosco, the birthplace of Saint Joseph Allamano.
The course closing Mass, on September 27, was presided over by the Superior General, Father James Lengarin. The celebration began in the underground parking lot of the General House, symbolizing the dark world. Each participant was invited to light up a candle from the Paschal Candle, symbolizing that the missionaries celebrating 25 years of priesthood or religious life have passed from the world of darkness to the world of light, which is Christ Himself.
Then, holding their lit candles, the missionaries recited a special creed related to ongoing formation. It was a creed centered on personal faith: the Word of God, consecrated life, Saint Joseph Allamano, the mission ad gentes, the renewed commitment to return to Christ, self-care, community life, and the Blessed Virgin Consolata.
With their candles lit, the missionaries processed toward the chapel, following the Paschal Candle, the statues of the Virgin Consolata and Saint Joseph Allamano, and a banner with the course logo and the participants’ photos.
During the Mass, the Superior General, inspired by the Gospel passage of the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1–11), exhorted the group to “live a holy life and to guide God’s people with an exemplary life. In today’s world, people follow lived experience rather than empty doctrine. The world calls for commitment and dialogue.”
Jesus’ command to the servants, “fill the jars,” is, he said, “an invitation to action, to trust, and to mission for each of you celebrating the 25th Jubilee. What is expected of each of us is to take seriously the Word of God as a guide for our missionary life as servants of Christ,” commented the Superior General, urging the missionaries to be “attentive listeners of the Word of God. Listening to the Word and acting upon it, as happened at the wedding in Cana, will bring great miracles into our lives.”
Father Lengarin also reminded the jubilarians of the Founder’s famous words: “First holy, then missionaries.” Saint Joseph Allamano emphasized that “mission springs from contemplation. Missionaries must be the visible images of God’s tenderness, and holiness begins with silence. Vocation is not a personal gift, and it must be shared with God’s people. It is important that the jubilarians be witnesses of consolation. God has chosen us to fill the emptiness in people’s lives,” he added.
He also recalled the words of Pope Francis: “The priest is not an administrator of the sacred but a shepherd who walks with his people.” Finally, the Superior General thanked the missionaries and encouraged them to “be faithful missionaries witnesses of the Gospel.”
The General Councillor in charge of formation, Father Matthews Odhiambo Oduor, expressed his appreciation to the Superior General and the entire General Council of the Institute for their dedication in ensuring that the missionary jubilarians could take part in this renewal course. He also gave special thanks to Fathers Antonio Rovelli and Ernesto Viscardi for organizing and coordinating the various moments of the course.
A special word of gratitude was also addressed to the community of the General House for their hospitality, and to all the committees in charge of different services for their availability and commitment.
Last, but not least, Father Matthews Odhiambo thanked the group of missionary jubilarians for the dedication and maturity they demonstrated throughout the entire formation journey.
Read all the articles about the G25 course
Evangelization in the digital world and the offices of the Institute
Walking in the footsteps of St. Joseph Allamano
Disciplinary norms in Consecrated Life
New Missionary Trends: A Church that Goes Forth
Self-care and development of one’s integrity towards old age
Coping with midlife crisis as a religious
Insights for discerning the future prospects of Consecrated Life
Starting afresh from Christ: reviving the fire of the call
Course G25: General Analysis of Consecrated Life and of the Institute
“The Word of God as a Guide to Consecrated Life”
The second ongoing formation course begins in Rome
The course, held in English, was attended by 15 missionaries (14 priests and 1 brother) from Africa, Latin America, and Europe. A first course, in Italian, was held in May 2025, and a third course is planned for September 2027.
* Father Deogratias Makei Mlay, IMC, missionary in Tanzania.
