FIRST RELIGIOUS PROFESSION IN TANZANIA
The Vicariate of Tanzania was indeed glad and greatly indebted to the Almighty God for the memorable event of witnessing the First profession of the twelve novices who made their simple vows on the great feast of the inspirer of the Carmelite Order - Prophet Elijah, on July 20, 2019.

The solemn mass with the rite of religious profession was celebrated by the Regional Vicar of Tanzania Rev. Fr Sylvester Msemwa OCD. The ceremony was witnessed by many religious priests, nuns and the lay faithful. The liturgy was prayerful and graceful in which the 12 Novices professed their vows. The ceremony was more meaningful with the vesting of the brothers in the Carmelite religious habit. In his homily Rev. Fr. Sylvester Msemwa thanked the Almighty God for the gift of vocations to the Carmelite Order which promises a bright future for Carmel in Tanzania. He appreciated the brothers for their generous response to the Call they have received and their willingness to face the challenges to live the religious life. He also thanked and appreciated the formation community at Malisho – Mbeya for their constant support and guidance to the brothers in their Carmelite journey. Emphasizing on the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, he invited the Novices to embrace the religious life with a good conscience and free will. He also made the faithful realize the need to help and support the brothers both spiritually and economically and not to expect the religious to help the families financially, but rather to live the vow of poverty for the Order and for personal sanctification. He also gave importance to the cultivation of interior silence, which nourishes the prayer life of the Carmelites, citing the example of St Elijah who encountered God in a gentle silence breeze on Mount Horeb.

After the Eucharistic celebration, the newly professed brothers were felicitated by the community and the lay faithful, wishing them all the very best in the garden of Carmel.