For the many workshops and activities that monks of Hanga do, make Hanga to be an attractive venue for many visitors. Some want spiritual atmosphere at the abbey, some workshops, some schools, some health services and others recreation. Recently five advanced level secondary school students from Songea urban (Songea Girls’ Sec. School) came to Hanga for the purpose of seeing the hydo electric power plant. They had to write a project on Hyodroelectric power production and Hanga was a choice place to augment their theory and knowledge. Br. Mhajuki was there to explain how the water turbine works.

In the photos Br. Mhajuki giving a tour and explaining about the water turbine and its power production mechanism to the students. At the bottom Br. Fraternus (middle) and Br. Lucius in a picture with the six students from Songea Girls Secondary School. The names of the students are: Rukia Zuberi, Yasinta Sinyenga, Aurelia Kayombo, Daima Fussy, Elvira Msemwa, and Nashira Riyani.

Back in 1995, the then ruling abbot Alcuin Nyirenda, OSB, was able to garner some funds to establish bottled water project at a farm in Nole in Njombe on the southern highlands of Tanzania. This was the effort of abbot Alcuin in finding projects that would help the abbey to get some income. Since then the bottled water project has been in operation and the demand for the bottled water from the site has been more than it can be supplied. At the beginning of this year 2012, under the supervision of Fr. Salvatory Ngimbudzi, OSB, the abbey got loan to update the plant. A tripple function machine has been bought that will be making bottles, filling the bottles with water and putting labels on the bottles. Thanks to abbot Alcuin for establishing the project and thanks to Fr. Salvatory for his good supervision and new ideas of improving the project.

In the photos find the new facility for bottled water project with bottled water ready for consumption.

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In February 2012 twelve nuns of temporary religious vows from the women Benedictine Missionary congregation paid a visit to the abbey at Hanga. They had been staying at Peramiho convent of the Sisters as they prepare themselves for perpetual religious vows. They were from different religious houses in their congregation namely India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Phillipines.

While at Hanga they had the opportunity to see different activities run by the monks. They saw schools (Hanga Seminary, St. Benedict Secondary School, and Trade School), automechanic workshop, dispensary, carpentry, and poultry unit, to mention but a few. Particularly they were amazed and impressed by the inlay work in the carpentry shop -the work of Frater Blasius Maganga, OSB,- and the large amount of eggs produced at the poultry farm the work of Frater Peter Claver Kindimba, OSB.

At the dispensary they met our three confreres working there as nurses: Frater Lucius Matembo, OSB, (head), Frater Josephat Haule, OSB, and Frater Benedict Kaguti, OSB. In the righ photo Frater Josephat is on the left and Frater Benedict is on right. In the right photo Frater Lucius is at the middle.

At St. Benedict Secondary School Fr. Angello Mugaga Mselle, OSB, was there to give the nuns a tour.

At the Trade School Frater Patrick Mwinuka, OSB, gave the Sisters a tour showing them the new kitchen and the computer center where internet service is available for students, monks and the public.

The Sisters were very much impressed by the inlay work at the carpentry shop. They saw different articles ranging from chair, to tables, to bed frames so well and sofsticatedly decorated.

At the automechanic workshop the nuns praised the carts made by Frater Jerome Mlelwa, OSB. The carts are very useful to farmers in hauling farm produce, firewood, building materials, etc.

A sad news happed to St. Maurus Hanga Abbey on November 12th, 2011 due to the death of their beloved member Frater Justin Salingwa, OSB. Frt. Justin died in Muhimbili National Hospital due to urinary system complications. Prior to his death, within a week, he was being treated for malaria at Hanga Abbey. Then he fainted and was rushed to Peramiho hospital, 70km from the abbey. There he was diagnosed with diabetes and symptoms of kidneys failure a situation that neccesitated to be flown immediately to Dar es Salaam. Frt. Justin survived overnight and died the next morning at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Frt. Justin Salingwa, OSB, was a dedicated monk and trustworthy. You could trust him with any responsibility. For over 15 years he was running the abbey general store (duka in Swahili). It was his creativity and dedication that the store has flourished so well and has been the mainstay of the budget of the abbey kitchen.

Frt. Justin died a the age of 50. Next year 2012 would be his 25th anniversary as a monk. He will be greatly missed  by the community. May he rest in peace!

In the photo below Frt. Justin is first from right. The thoto was taken in June 2011 when bishop elect (then) John Ndimbo visited Hanga Abbey

On 11th July, this year 2011, the feast of St. Benedict the founder of Benedictine monstic life, Hanga abbey monks had the joy of having more members committing themselves to monastic life at the abbey. Frater Jesephat Haule and Frater Deogratias made their perpetual vows. Frater Killian and Filbert made theri first vows to monastic life. Those admitted to novitiate (time for monastic formation) were Frater Fulbert Ngwembele, Frater Zenobius Mwanyika, Frater Raphael Msigwa, and Frater Gozanga Gonza Haule. Both Frater Zenobius and Raphael had finished Secondary School education at our Hanga Religius Seminary. Frater Gonzaga comes to the abbey with degree in civil law. Two young men were received to rank of postulancy a time for them to observe and try to live monastic life before they are admitted to full formation as novices. We welcome these new members to the house of God to serve Him and His people. 

In the left photo from left: The novices Frater Fulbert, Frater Zenobius, Frater Raphael and Frater Gonzanga Gonza.      In the right photo from left is Frater Jesephat and Deogratias who made their perpetual vows.   Below: the postulants.                    

Last but not least were   Frater Odilo Matembo, OSB,  and Augustion Mgedzi, OSB celebrating 50 years as monks. Also Frater Blasius Maganga, OSB, Policarp Hongoli, OSB and Gabriel Wangabo, OSB, celebrated their 25th anniversary in monastic life. We congratulate all of them their many years of service to the people of God.

Below left are Frater Agustino Mgedzi, OSB and Frater Odilo Matembo, OSB, who celebrated their 50th aniversary as Benedictine monks of Hanga Abbey.

Benedictine monks of St. Ottilien Congregation whose headquater is in Germany comprises of monasteries in all continents. Each continent forms a region in which the superiors meet once or twice a year. This year, 2011, the African region superiors met a Hanga Abbey on June 12th & 13th. It the second time to meet at the abbey. The last time they met here was in 2008. The African region comprises monasteries from Togo, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania. Tanzania has more monasteries than any other African country with abbeys of Peramiho, Ndanda, Hanga and Mvimwa.

It is nice and asier to host these dignitaries at the abbey at present than before since there is much room now to host visitors at Hanga Abbey. St. Pirmin’s guest house,though not finished, serves the purpose with  a few rooms available.

In the photos are the Benedictine superiors from abbeys and Priories in Africa who attended the meeting. Some recognizable faces are (from left) Abbot Godfrey of Inkamana in South Africa, Abbot Anastasius of Peramiho (Tanzania), Abbot Thadei of Hanga, Prior Wilbrord of Katibunga – Zambia and the third from right is Abbot Dionis from Ndanda Abbey in Tanzania.

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A man of great simplicity striving for his holiness, Bishop Gervas Placidus Nkalanga, OSB, retired bishop of Bukoba northwestern Tanzania, celebrated his 50th anniversary as a bishop on June 7, 2011 at Hanga Abbey in southern Tanzania. Bishop Nkalanga, joined the Benedictines of Hanga Abbey 27 years ago after his retirement as a bishop and celebrated 25 years as monk of Hanga Abbey in 2008.

At the celebration, bishop and monk, Very Reverent Gervas Placidus Nkalanga, OSB, was joined by so many people. There were more than 30 bishops from the body of bishops in Tanzania including the archbishop of Songea Norbert Mtega who also celebrates 25 years as a bishop this year 2011. There were numerous priests and religious people not to count lay people. The former president of Tanzania Benjamin William Mkapa na his wife were also present. The Cardinal of Tanzania, Polycarp Pengo, presided at the Holy Mass. Most speakers at the celebration hailed Bishop Nkalanga for his humility and simplicity. He in turn admonish people to act like salt dissolved in food but without being physically seen. We pray for many more years of blessings to bishop Gervas Placidus Nkalanga, OSB.

Monks of Hanga Abbey with bishops who came to the jubilee

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Bishop Placidus Nkalanga with Archbishop Norbert Mtega, of Songea diocese in the left and Polycarp Cardinal Pengo on the right.

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Sisters from defferent religious communities with the bishops on the occation of the jubilee

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Below from left: Retired abbot Alcuin Nyirenda, OSB, of Hanga Abbey, Archbishop Nortbert Mtega, Bishop Gervas Placidus Nkalanga, OSB, Polycarp Cardinal Pengo and Abbot of Hanga Abbey Thadei Mhagama, OSB.

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 On the left is the archbishop, Norbert Mtega and behing the president is abbot Thadei Mhgama, OSB. Prior Frater do Nanyanje, OSB, is on the right.

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In the photo are the former president of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa with his wife Mama Anna Mkapa.

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Bishop Placidus Nkalanga in Nakagugu Formation House at his banana field where he works always with the resident youths.

On June 2nd and 3rd 2011, Bishop John Ndimbo, the new bishop of Mbinga diocese in Southern Tanzania visited the monks at Hanga Abbey. Bishop Ndimbo was named bishop for Mbinga diocese in March 2011 following the resignation of bishop Emmanuel Mapunda. Bishop Ndimbo was consecred as a bishop on June 5th 2001.

The visit of bishop Ndimbo to the abbey did not come as a surprise because he has close relationship with Hanga abbey. He studied at Hanga Seminary for his elementary school education back in 1973-75. In brief Bishop Ndimbo had his secondary school education at Likonde Seminary, he did his theological studies at Peramiho Major Seminary in Songea. After his ordination in 1989 he served in several parishes in the diocese of Mbinga then he was sent to the Phillipines where he earned Masters degree  in Mathematics. Upon his return he was assigned be the the rector of Likonde seminary for about six years when he was nominated to be Educational Secretary for Tanzania Episcopal Conference in 2009.

The new bishop was blessed and installed on June 5, 2011. More than 30 bishops of Tanzania attended the ordination which was officiated by the Cardinal of Tanzania Polycarp Pengo. Also present at the celebration was the current President of the United Republic of Tanzania Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete with his wife Mama Salma Kikwete. Likewise the former president who presided Kikwete, Benjamin William Mkapa and his wife Anna Mkapa attended the ceremony.

We wish bishop John Ndimbo blessings and success is his pastoral ministry for the dioceo of Mbinga all the people of God.

In the photos bishop Ndimbo with monks at Hanga, and cutting a special cake made for his honor.

Below bishop Ndimbo at the middle. Left is Frater Lucius Matembo, OSB, (our reporter and a school-mate of bishop Ndimbo at Hanga Seminary); right is Frater Odo Nanyanje, OSB, the Prior of Hanga Abbey.

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Bishop Ndimbo in his regalia as a bishop and his court of arms.

Below are pictures of bishop Ndimbo with other bishops, president Jakaya Kikwete and his wife, and the former president of Tanzania Benjamin Mkapa with his wife Anna(standing together left on front).

Bishop John Ndimbo with president Jakaya Kikwete and Cardinal Polycarp Pengo

Visiting Hanga Abbey this June 2011 are students from St. John’s University in Minesota in the US. The visit has become a tradition since about seven years ago. The University through St. John’s Benedictine Abbey sends university graduates as volunteers in many parts of the world including Tanzania and Hanga. Hanga abbey have had a priviledge of having such volunteers for sometime now and the program has generated another kind of visit for a short term. Every year a group of students come for cultural experience whereby the students for a day stay with Tanzanian families at Hanga village to experience the really village life of ordinary Tanzanians.

In the photo a group of students from St. John’s university at the guest house in Kurasini, Dar es Salaam with Br. Kizito Ndunguru, OSB, the guest master (second from left).

Below the students at Hanga Abbey with Frater Lucius Matembo, OSB, (our reporter) – first from right.