On Friday, December 4, 2020 at 11:00am, in the chapel of the Formation House, Ghébra Michael, in the city of Matola, the Eucharist was celebrated and presided by Father José Luis Azevedo Fernandes, CM, Visitor of the Vice-Province of Mozambique. He was accompanied by Father Artivo Jonas Cossa, CM, the new Visitor of the Vice-Province who will serve in that role for the next four years. Together with them was Father Salvador Bila, who had preached the annual retreat to the confreres during the previous week. Concelebrants included members of the Vice-Province and priests from other religious congregations.

Also participating in this celebration were some of the seminarists, Sister Alice Langa, DC and Sister María Gouveia, DC, and family members of Serafim Mateus Vicente Tambuale, CM who after the gospel was called by Father Ernesto Zunguze, CM (Director of the Internal Seminary) to make his profession of vows. Serafim knelt before the altar and read aloud the vow formula which definitively incorporated him into the Congregation of the Mission in the Vice-Province of Mozambique. At the same time, the seminarist, Daniel Alberto Nkomkue was called forth to receive the ministries of Lector and Acolyte which were administered by Father José Luis Azevedo Fernandes, CM.

After the homily, Father Artivo Jonas Cossa, CM was called forth to receive the letter that had been sent by the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Father Tomaẑ Mavriĉ, CM which appointed him to the position of Visitor of the Vice-Province. After receiving the letter, Father Artivo knelt before the altar, placed his hand on the Bible, and made a solemn profession of faith and proclaimed his faithfulness to the Church as he begins to exercise the new ministry that has been entrusted to him. Some symbols and instruments proper to the exercise of the administration of the Vice-Province were presented to him and all the members of the congregation expressed their joy, congratulating Father Artivo with an extended applause.

After the final prayer, Father Artivo expressed his gratitude to those had gathered together for this celebration and he asked for prayers and collaboration. He also communicated that after having concluded the consultation, the members of the Council who would accompany him during his term of office were the following: Frs. Fernando Abel Mucavele, CM, Inocêncio Francisco Sipoia, CM, Agostinho Neto Cipriano, CM and Cayo Ilídio Palácio, CM. Father Artivo also stated that during the first meeting of the Council, the Provincial Treasurer and the Provincial Secretary would be elected.

 

Father Francisco Armellini, CM

Vice-Province of Mozambique