Fr Lawrence Tieho Matsora OMI, Rest in Peace

Fr Lawrence Tieho Matsora

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – The Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the faithful bid farewell to Fr Lawrence Tieho Matsora OMI, who passed away on the 13th of February,  2026.

Fr Matsora was serving at Loretto Parish within the Archdiocese of Maseru at the time of his passing. His home parish was Sione, Mapoteng.

He was born on March 9, 1954,  to Mr Elias Mosiuoa Matsora and Mrs Anastasia ‘Mathoto Matsora. He was the sixth of eleven children in his family.

He received his primary education at Sion Primary School and St Gabriel  Primary School in Sebapala, Quthing. He later entered St. Theresa Minor  Seminary and subsequently pursued his priestly formation at St.  Augustine’s Major Seminary in Roma, Lesotho.

Fr  Matsora entered the novitiate at Villa Maria Novitiate in 1983 and professed his First Vows in 1984. He made his Perpetual Vows in 1998 at the Oblate Scholasticate in Roma. He completed his studies in Philosophy and Theology at St Augustine’s Major Seminary.

He was ordained a deacon on October 29, 1989, and was ordained to the priesthood on February 16, 1991.

Pastoral Ministry

Throughout his priestly life, Fr Matsora generously served the Church in various capacities:

* Missionary work in Botswana

* Priest-in-Charge at St Rodrigue Mission

* Hospital Chaplain at Oblate House

* Priest-in-Charge at Holy Cross Parish

* Member of the community at Mazenod Monastery

* First Assistant Superior at Mazenod Conference Centre

* Assistant Parish Priest at Loretto Parish

* National Spiritual Director of Legio Maria Lesotho

In addition to his parish and community responsibilities, he was actively engaged in evangelisation through regular Gospel broadcasts every  Saturday on the Radio Maria Lesotho platform.

Fr  Matsora will be remembered for his dedication to missionary service, his commitment to pastoral ministry, and his zeal in proclaiming the Gospel.The Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference, along with the clergy,  attended in significant numbers alongside the lay faithful. The remains of Fr Matsora were interred at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate cemetery in Mazenod.

May the Lord whom he faithfully served grant him eternal rest and reward him with everlasting life through His infinite mercy.

The requiem Mass for Fr Matsora OMI was held at Mofumahali oa Lefatse Mazenod.