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

Final Photos from Provincial’s Time in Zambia

Delegation of Zambia

Celebrating Mass at Mazenod Pre-Novitiate, Lusaka, Zambia. There are thirty pre-novices in residence here. They attend classes at St. Bonaventure College where they receive a degree in Philosophy before going to novitiate.

Supper was served after Mass. We ate by candle light as the power is turned off each day from 5 p.m. till midnight. It makes it difficult for the students to study in the evening. Many of them go to bed early and then get up at midnight to study when the power is turned back on.

Enjoying the meal by candlelight with Director of the pre-novitiate, Fr. Pat Gitzen, OMI.
After dinner, the community gathered for a picture while it was still light outside!

My visit to the pre-novitiate was a welcome opportunity to visit with the Formation Staff.

Each Formator takes direct responsibility for 6-8 pre-novices and accompanies them on their formation journey. 

Two pre-novices will join the U.S. novitiate in Godfrey in August upon receiving their Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in  May. The other three will go to the novitiate in South Africa.

Vocations continue to be on the upswing in Zambia.

(L-R): Oblates Chola Mumba, Director, Pat Gitzen, Louis Studer, Chris Phiri. Missing from photo: Cyril Keba.

Fr. Studer completed his work and returned to the U.S. on January 13, 2023.

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