The Vocation Story of Br Fidèle Mandemba, SDB

by Fr Vaclav Klement SDB · Published June 3, 2025 · Updated June 3, 2025

Br Fidele Mandemba SDB

Br Fidele Mandemba Moseka will make his final (perpetual) profession at Mass on June 15 at 09:30 Mass at All Saints Parish in Ennerdale, Johannesburg. Two days before the final profession, the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) of Southern Africa Viceprovince invite young people who would like to respond to God’s call, for a Vocation Gathering and Prayer Vigil at the parish led by the Salesian Youth Ministry Team’s Br Mojela Fihlo, SDB.

The Vocation Story of Br Fidèle Mandemba, SDB

Br. Fidèle Mandemba Moseka, originally from the northern part of DR Congo, shares his vocational journey to becoming a Salesian of Don Bosco. The seventh of ten siblings, Fidèle’s family life changed significantly when his father passed away when he was six.

From a young age, Fidèle felt a strong desire to become a priest, inspired by the Belgian Spiritan missionaries in his parish. He admired their dedication, their love for the people, their cultural immersion, and their willingness to serve even in remote areas. This experience solidified his calling to be a missionary.

After secondary school, Fidèle moved to Lubumbashi, where he first encountered the Salesians of Don Bosco. After a period of discernment and spiritual guidance, he joined the “Maison des Jeunes” in Lubumbashi as an aspirant in July 2014, immersing himself in the Salesian charism. Following his aspirancy and pre-novitiate, he was sent to Lusaka, Zambia, for his novitiate. In 2017, he freely expressed his vocation to become a missionary ad gentes (to the nations) in a letter to the provincial of the ZMB province (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia) before his first profession of vows.

After novitiate, Fidèle returned to Congo to continue his initial formation in Philosophy and Science of Education (Post-Novitiate). His missionary call matured during this time. In September 2020, the Rector Major responded positively to his request, assigning him to Japan (GIA) as part of the 151st missionary expedition. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, he had to wait nearly two years in his home province (AFC), gaining practical experience as a teacher and boarding school supervisor before assisting the provincial economer until he departed for Japan.

In 2022, he joined the community of Chofu in Tokyo, focusing on learning the Japanese language. However, for personal reasons and with the agreement of his superiors, he requested to leave the Japan province. On May 25, 2023, after the Solemnity of Mary Help of Christians in Valdocco, he received new obedience from the Rector Major to go to the AFM province, which encompasses South Africa, eSwatini, and Lesotho.

Fidèle gained valuable insights into Japanese culture during his time there. Due to new Salesian Missions Sector dynamics requiring new missionaries to complete their visa process in their country of origin, he returned to the DR Congo to apply for a South African work permit. After almost a year without obtaining the permit, he was asked to proceed directly to Nairobi, Utume, where he joined his theology formation house in June 2024.

Br Fidèle Mandemba will continue his second year of theology at Don Bosco Utume, Nairobi, Kenya, from August 2025.