Hanga Abbey celebrated its 50th Anniversary Jubilee on August 20, 2008. Hundreds of special guests attended, including Abbot Primate Notker Wolf, Archabbot Jeremiah Schröder, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, and Archbishop Norbert Mtega. Guests came from all over the world to join the celebration: Germany, Italy, Austria, Uganda, Korea, and the USA, as well as guests from all parts of Tanzania. With so many guests, the Jubilee mass had to be held outside. A special structure was constructed so that the Hanga monks, special guests, villagers, and students could all worship and celebrate together.
The Jubilee ceremony was filled with inspiring speeches and music. The choir was directed by Br. Buzaliwao and sang beautiful songs, including some compositions by former Abbot Alcuin Nyirenda.
Many Tanzanian officials thanked Hanga Abbey for their service to the nation, including Regional Commissioner Monica Mbega and District Commissioner Gabriel Kimolo. The Jubilee mass was said by Polycarp Cardinal Pengo, and Abbot Primate Notker Wolf gave the homily in Kiswahili.
After the jubilee mass, the celebration continued with delicious food, cake, and many types of music and dance. The Hanga Seminary brass band played fun music throughout the day. St. Laurent Primary students showed off their English skills by reading poems and singing songs in English. Special dancers came from different tribes of Southern Tanzania for entertainment. And a three-piece rock band had everyone dancing for hours until the power finally ran out late at night. Then through the night and early hours of the morning, Hanga villagers formed drum circles and played traditional Tanzanian music.
The jubilee celebration was a time to recognize some of the monks from Hanga Abbey. Br. Ignas Danda celebrated his 25th year as a Benedictine monk. Also honored were the brave pioneers of Hanga Abbey who traveled into the bush fifty years ago to found a monastery. Three of the original founders were recognized during the ceremony: Fr. Gregory Mwageni, Br. Joseph Chinunda, and Br. Bonaventure Malibiche, who has since passed away. Hanga Abbey would never have been possible without their courage, insight, and motivation.
