From 3 to 18 July 2023, the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission, Fr Tomaž Mavrič, CM made a canonical visit to the Vice-Province of Mozambique to encourage the confreres in fidelity and to rekindle the flame of the Vincentian charism and spirituality in the members of the different branches of the Vincentian Family.

Tomaž Mavrič, CM arrived in Mozambique on 3 July and on the same day met with the Vice-Provincial Council who presented him with the report of the activities carried out in the Vice-Province.

The Superior General visited the Apostolic Nuncio and the bishops of the dioceses where we met (Maputo, Xai-Xai, Nacala and Tete).

It dedicated two days to the Ongoing Formation of the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers of the Vice-Province. The theme was based on the Final Document of the 43rd General Assembly, which invites us to Revitalise the Identity of the Congregation of the Mission. He distributed to the confreres the means that will help in this revitalisation: the Common Rules and the Constitutions of the Congregation of the Mission. He set concrete goals that should lead us to the Jubilee celebration of the 400th anniversary of the Foundation of the Little Company with renewed spirit.

He met with the Vincentian seminarians in the three houses of formation (two in the South and one in the North).

Seminarians of the Blessed Ghebre Michael Formation House – Matola (Philosophy and Theology)

During Ongoing Formation he met with the Young Fathers, the Superiors of the Houses and the members of the Formation Commission.

He presided at the Eucharist for the admission of Brother Sergio Vacheque, CM and concelebrated the ordination to the diaconate of Daniel, CM and Sergio, CM.

Young Fathers after the meeting with the Superior General and the Visitor

Fr Tomaz Mavric, CM with the members of the Formation Commission: (Vocation Ministry, Propaedeutic, Philosophy and Theology, Internal Seminary)

Thanksgiving during the Diaconal Ordination of Daniel, CM and Sergio, CM in Magude.

He held meetings with the Branches of the Vincentian Family in the three regions of Mozambique (South, North and Centre). He invited all the Branches to collaborate in the project of the 13 houses and asked that a greater number of people of good will who want to enter this Movement of Charity be involved.

Fr Tomaz Mavric, CM at the Eucharist after the meeting with the Vincentian Family of the Southern Zone of Mozambique.

The Community of Macua-Cua (Tete, Central Zone of Mozambique) welcomes Fr Tomaz Mavrc, CM

The photo of the Superior General with the faithful of the Community of Macua-Cua

On the left and right sides: Fr Artivo, CM the Visitor and Fr Victor, CM the Parish Priest. The Superior General, Fr Tomaz Mavric, CM and animators of the Community.

The Visitor, the Superior General, the Parish Priest and the Vicar of the Mission and some dancers at the end of the Eucharist.

Since it was not possible to visit the Community of Johannesburg, scheduled for 15 to 18 July, due to difficulties in obtaining a visa, the Superior General promised to visit that Community in due course and took advantage of the time to go and celebrate the Eucharist at the Mission of Our Lady of Hope in Massingir and to have an afternoon of rest in the natural animal reserve located in that area.

The Superior General with the faithful of Massingir Mission after Mass.

Walk through the animal reserve

On the penultimate day of his visit, the Superior General met again with the Vice-Provincial Council to make some recommendations. Of these recommendations he emphasised: the formation of formators, the commitment to the Pastoral Care of Vocation Promotion and, in the near future, assistance to the Mission of Angola.

These were days when we felt the presence of St Vincent among us. A man of prayer and humility, he prayed with everyone and had contact with everyone without distinction. Despite his busy schedule due to the short time and distances between the places he visited, he did not miss any appointment. He was tirelessly with everyone: from the youngest to the oldest, from the city to the countryside, from the literate to the illiterate, from the rulers to the ruled. Thank you Fr Tomaz Mavric, CM. The Vincentian Family of Mozambique (and other Christians, students and workers in our missions) will have you in their hearts.

Fr Ernesto Alfredo Zunguze, CM