Young Men to become Pallottines

For the first time in history six young man are starting their studies to become Pallottines in Malawi. The course for future Fathers and Brothers has recently started in a rented house in the capital city of Lilongwe in the urban district of Chitipi.

The next course will presumingly start in Kaphatika, 140 kilometers away from Lilongwe. Kaphatika will host the Pallottine postulate in a new building of the Vincent Pallotti parish. Postulate Master and deacon Fr. Francis Gilbert Chibota SAC will accompany the studies of the Pallottines to be. The starting celebrations in Lilongwe were attended by Fr. Jones Wellos, the priest of Kaphatika and his chaplain, deacon Fr. Richard Nyasalnd SAC. Together with Br. Bert Meyer SAC, there are four Pallottines working in Malawi, a group which will be joined by confreres from South Africa within the next years.

The Postulate lasts one year max. After that there is the studies of philosophy and the noviciate. The studies of philosophy can either be accomplished in Balaka in Malawi – but before that a community house will have to be built – or in Merrivale, South Africa, at the Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Sedara.

According to Vice Provincial Fr. Michael Pfenning SAC, the beginning of the Postulate is one of the many signs of hope emerging in this African country. He emphasizes the Pallottines’ close relation to the arch diocese of Lilongwe as well as the fact that the community has established their reputation among the people. Thus, young people have become aware of the Pallottines through radio broadcasts. Deacons Fr. Francis Gilbert Chibota SAC and Fr. Richard Nyasaland SAC, for example, did a pastoral vocation broadcast on the radio leading to many young people now being accompanied by the two Pallottine confreres.

Report and Pictures: Br. Bert Meyer
Translation: Stefanie Ettenberger