The day was Thursday 29th January and the Allamano community was celebrating the 108th birthday of the Institute. In addition, five candidates were receiving the ministry of lector, and seven were receiving the ministry of acolyte. The event started exactly at six, with Fr. Joya, the Vice Regional Superior, presiding over the Mass assisted by Fr. Pendawazima, Fr. Bellagamba and the fathers from the professors' side of the Allamano compound.
Fr. Joya went on to explain the gospel that was about love, and linked it very well with the ministry, underlining the fact that the foundation of ministry in the Church is love, the force behind it is love, and the aim of the same is transformation of the world through love. He presented the receiving of ministries as a re-dedication of one's heart, mind, and energy for the service of God through his people, and therefore in and through the Church. He challenged everyone present to reinvigorate his spiritual dimension following the example of St. Paul who had been identified as a great model for missionaries by both the universal Church and our Institute.
Fr. Joya expressed gratitude to God for supporting the Institute over the years, and making it a powerful tool of evangelization in the period it has existed. He expressed his optimism that although the Institute was facing new realities with the changing times in the world, with the zeal of St. Paul, would be able to continue being inspired by the Spirit of Our Founder Blessed Joseph Allamano, and remain a little landmark of hope and consolation in the world.
The Mass went on till seven after which we found our way to the dining room where delicacies were "waiting" us. The environment was so cordial that pretty soon each was mingling with everybody else in a spirit of fraternity and happiness. After supper, the three new students from the novitiate of Maputo, Jose Salvadore, Joseph Omollo and Caesar Walusimbi, were officially welcomed into the community of Allamano House, and one of them, Caesar Walusimbi, received gifts since he was also celebrating his birthday.
Asked to say something as the party was ending, Fr. Bellagamba challenged the students by telling them to think of what they were to offer the Institute and not what the Institute was to offer them. Fr. Pendawazima thanked those who had received the ministries for their 'Yes' to Christ, and reminded them that the journey was still long. He prayed that all may continue showing even further commitment and zeal in their activities.
The Allamano community expressed its gratitude to the Vice Regional Superior for accepting to officiate the installation of the ministries, and for accepting to celebrate the 108th birthday of the Institute. It was minutes before nine that the celebration ended, sending the energized young men of Allamano House into their rooms to prepare for the following day's classes.
