The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate serve poor and abandoned people in the United States and 70 countries around the world.

Five Men Make First Religious Profession

Oblate Formation

Posted on August 3, 2022

After their profession the five men happily accepted a warm round of applause from the gathering. (L-R) Royd Miyambo, Chileshe Mulenga, Sipho Mukobola, Etienne Kabemba, and Pablo Henning

By Will Shaw with Thanks to Fr. Jim Allen, OMI

On August 1st, the birthday of St. Eugene de Mazenod, Oblates, friends and relatives from the U.S. and Canada gathered at St. Ambrose Church in Godfrey, IL to witness Royd Miyambo of Zambia, Pablo Henning of Venezuela and the U.S., Chileshe Mulenga of Zambia, Etienne Kalemba of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Canada, and Sipho Mukobola of Zambia, make their first profession as Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Fr. Frank Kuczera and his mother, Teresa Kuczera

The Mass was celebrated by the U.S. Oblate Provincial, Very Rev. Louis Studer, who also received the vows of the vows of the four young men. The Very Rev. Luc Tardif, Provincial of the Notre Dame-du-Cap Province in Canada, was the homilist, and he received the vows of Canadian, Etienne Kalemba. Also present were the Oblate formators from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey: Novice Master, Fr. Frank Kuczera, Assistant Director, Bro. Patrick McGee, and Formator, Bro. George Litiya. Among the invited guests at the Mass was a very special one for Fr. Frank; his mother, Teresa Kuczera, was in for a visit.

At the end of Mass, Fr. Kuczera commented on the past year and thanked all those who were helpful to the novices. Fr. Louis Studer also expressed his thanks to several individuals along with the staff and members of St Ambrose Parish for their support and love for the novices.

Of the five new Scholastic Brothers, three, Royd Miyambo, Chileshe Mulenga, and Sipho Mukobola will be returning home to Zambia and family, after which their local Superior will determine where they will study next. After some time off, Pablo Henning and Etienne Kabemba will both move on to the Oblate Scholasticate in San Antonio, Texas.

Prior to Mass Oblates take the opportunity to greet each other and offer congratulations to the novices. (L-R) U.S. Provincial, Fr. Louis Studer, General Councilor for Canada-US Region, Fr. Warren Brown, Sipho Mukobola, Chileshe Mulenga
Fr. David Kalert (L) chats with Fr. Luc Tardif, Provincial the Canadian Province of Notre Dame-du-Cap
On left is the Director of Notre Dame-du Cap Shrine in Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Qc, Canada, Fr. Remi Lepage, with Fr. Jim Brobst, Vicar-provincial of the U.S. Province
Vicar-provincial, Fr. Art Flores (L) and Novice Master, Fr. Frank Kuczera
A good crowd of Oblates from the area and around the country were on hand for the Mass
The five young men took their place in the front pew at the beginning of the Mass
Homilist, Fr. Luc Tardif, took the opportunity to speak to the young men directly
Fr. Tardif listens as Canadian novice, Etienne Kabemba, reads his vows
In turn, Fr. Studer listens as each of the remaining Novices read their vows. Here we see Chileshe Mulenga make his commitment
After Mass the new Scholastic Brothers pose happily with their formators and Provincials: (L-R) Fr. Luc Tardif, Sipho Mukobola, Fr. Frank Kuczera, Bro. Patrick McGee, Pablo Henning, Fr. Louis Studer, Chileshe Mulenga, Royd Miyambo, Sipho Mukobola, Etienne Kabemba, Bro. George Litiya

Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate

<