Mariannhillers Celebrate Silver Jubilees

By Thabile Mbhele – It was a joyous day as seven members of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill (CMM) celebrated their silver jubilee at the Mariannhill monastery on Saturday, the feast of Ss Joachin and Anne.

Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad, and fellow CMM Fathers Henry Kanjo, Sylvester Namale, Emmanuel Ndlovu and Emmanuel Mlilo celebrated 25 years of ordination while Frs Alfred Igwebuike and Alnselmo Alfandega celebrated 25 years of profession.

Archbishop of Durban Mandla Siegfried Jwara, also a CMM, presided over the Mass. During his homily he reminded the jubilarians that only God’s Grace had brought them this far.

“Dear jubilarinans, I’m sure in the past 25 years of your religious life and priesthood you also felt as though God was not hearing your prayers. I’m sure there were moments where your vocation was really tested. Moments where you lost joy in your religious life and priesthood. I’m sure there were moments where you felt even betrayed by your own conferees and fellow priests. There were moments when you excelled in your work as a religious and priest. There were also moments when you disappointed some people — but remember that to celebrate a jubilee does not make you a celebrity in the true sense of the word. What you are celebrating today is that your religious life and priestly commitments have superseded your dark shadow,” Archbishop Jwara said.

Archbishop Jwara said he felt emotional to witness this moment because he had been part of the jubilarians’ formation from early years.

Bishop Mbuyisa said that this celebration gave him a chance to reflect on the past 25 years and to give thanks for God. He listed enjoying his studies, and working with students and lay people as some of the highlights of his priesthood.

“I had many challenges but I’d say prayers. Prayer life is really the foundation — not so much the prayers that I myself was offering, I am aware of just how much my own family, friends, relatives so many people who have carried me over the years, so I’m grateful to each and everyone of them,” he said.

Bishop Mbuyisa, who was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life last month, encouraged young people who believe that they are called to religious life to respond positively.

Quoting the day’s Gospel, Mathew 13: 16-17, Archbishop Jwara warned that we must never take our faith for granted. “Have we ever thought of the freedom we have to hear the Gospel, the freedom to worship, to receive the Eucharist. We take all these treasures for granted and forget what others only dream about. Think of countries where people are not allowed to practise their Christian faith.”

At the end of the celebration, Archbishop Jwara explained why Bishop Mbuyisa did not renew his vows along with the other jubilarian: as a bishop, Mbuyia is no longer accountable to the congregation but to the Holy Father.