Mass Marriage and the Feast of St. Martin the Tour at Mpandagindo, Songea Archdiocese, Tanzania.
November 9th was a great day for the Discalced Carmelite Fathers working in the Parish of St. Martin the Tour at Mpandagindo, in the Archdiocese of Songea as Mass Marriages were held on the Occasion of the Patron’s Feast.

This Dual Celebration began with the concelebrated Holy Eucharist. Rev. Fr. Renatus Payovela OCD, the first local Discalced Carmelite Priest from Tanzania was the main celebrant. The Celebration began at 10 PM. There were 5 couples who got married on this auspicious day. Fr. Renatus preached a touching Homily, where he explained the life of St. Martin the Tour and the significance of his spirituality to the present generation. He also highlighted the concept and the importance of getting married in the Catholic Church. This occasion became an eye opener to many who are living-in relationships without getting married.

Fr. Renatus himself blessed the marriages and wished them all the very best for their future. Fr. Vivian Menezes OCD the Parish Priest and Fr. Roshan Pinto OCD the Parochial Vicar, were present for the celebration.

After the Holy Eucharist there was a felicitation programme for the married couples. Each couple was garlanded and was given the marriage certificate and then the Parish Priest and the Parochial Vicar presented them the Holy Cross and requested them to spend some time in Prayer before the Holy Cross every day.

As the Parish completed 46 years of being a Parish and as it is marching towards the celebration of the Golden Jubilee, the Parish Council has started to Honour some of the people for their extraordinary service towards the Parish. And this year three were honoured for their selfless service for the Church with a certificate. They are,

1) Sr. Jenny UMI – Social Worker
2) Mr. Fussi – Dedicated Treasurer Of the Parish
3) Mr. Dominukus Soko – Selfless service to the Carmelite Fathers and also to the Parish.

And after this the newly wedded couples and all the invitees were served a sumptuous meal and with this the celebration came to an end at 4 PM.