Stigmatine Fathers Bid Farewell to Fr Paul Mothobi Tatu in Mmakau, Pretoria

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · Published May 13, 2024 · Updated May 13, 2024

Fr Paul Tatu CSS laid to rest

Stigmatine Father Paul Mothobi Tatu Css was laid to rest at the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Mmakau, Pretoria on May 11.

The funeral was attended by over two thousand people, including those from as far afield as Lesotho, Tanzania, Malawi and Botswana. Among mourners were Mr Sy Mamabolo, chief electoral officer at the Independent Elections Commission (IEC), Mr Dan Marokane, current Eskom CEO and Mr Sello Motloung, a well-known local TV and film star. MC duties throughout the two-day affair were administered by Fr Jeremiah Mkhwanazi Css, provincial secretary of the Most Holy Redeemer Province of the Stigmatine Fathers.

The Most Holy Redeemer Church was where the Stigmatine Fathers arrived from Italy in 1960. The mission has since then become the “headquarters” of the congregation of priests in South Africa.

The funeral proceedings started on Friday afternoon with a memorial service addressed by among others the Tatu family from Lesotho, clergy, friends and the various sodalities Fr Tatu worked with. Representatives from each group addressed the service.

In the evening a Requiem Mass service was held, celebrated by His Grace Archbishop Anthony Dabula Mpako and Auxiliary Bishop John Selemela, both of the Archdiocese of Pretoria.

The funeral Mass service commenced on Saturday morning, with forty-five priests in con-celebration. Among the mourners were representatives from the Sisters of Mercy, the St Anne sodality, the Daughters of St Anne sodality & the Kemolo sodality from across the archdiocese of Pretoria.

At the end of Mass, the gathered mourners moved to the Stigmatine Fathers cemetery within the church grounds, where the final burial rites were administered. The gathered priests and mourners closed off the ceremony with the singing of the Salve Regina. Lunch was then served at various points for the locals and travellers alike. Rest in peace Fr Paul Mothobi Tatu Css.