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

A Conversation with Four Oblate Novices

Oblate Formation

By Will Shaw

Ready for their interview we see (L-R) Eliakim Mbenda, Michael Katona, Alfred Lubgu, Edwin Silwimba

The Oblate Novitiate in Godfrey, IL currently has four young men experiencing their year of study, prayer, and discernment at this former summer home of the wealthy Levis Family, owners of the Illinois Glass Company. Situated on two hundred wooded acres, the main house was built in the 1920’s, and sits on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. The site was selected for the prevailing summer breezes at a time when there was no air conditioning.

Donated to the Oblates in the late 1940’s, it is much less luxurious than it was when the Levis Family lived there, but it is still comfortable and ideally situated to provide a quiet, somewhat remote place in the country where the novices are free of distractions as they discern their call and listen for guidance.

The international novices are Edwin Silwimba, 23, from Zambia, Michael Katoma, 24, born in New Jersey and raised in Colorado, Eliakim Mbenda, 28, from Namibia, and Alfred Lungu, 31, from Zambia. After approximately two months at the novitiate, the young men sat down to give their impressions of the experience so far.

Fr. Frank and the novices outside St. Patrick’s Center in St. Louis (Photo: Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI)

Eliakim is the second last of seven children, his mother is widowed. He is enjoying life in the small community at the novitiate. He also enjoys attending Mass at local parishes and getting to know the people. He enjoys the sports activities but like all the novices, he finds he does not like the summer humidity for which the Midwest is so well known.

Alfred’s family boasts nine children out of which he is #7. His mother is widowed. He loves the fact that the novitiate is part of a nature preserve. he enjoys walking in the woods, his time in prayer, and, as he says, “Learning to listen.” He finds the interaction with his brothers, and with the local people very fulfilling.

Fr. Frank and Eliakim stack canned goods at Catholic Charities (Photo: Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI)

Michael is the youngest in his family with two half-siblings, his parents are both still living. He is another fan of exploring the forest and bluffs overlooking the river on the property, He enjoys the slower pace of life at the novitiate and spends a lot of time in prayer as well as playing the banjo. Unlike his brothers, he describes himself as “not inclined to sports.”

Edwin says he is, “Learning new things about community and culture along with different ways to prepare food.” He is also taking guitar lessons from his brother novice, Michael. Edwin is the youngest of four children and his parents are both still living. He finds the novitiate ideal for contemplation. He enjoys learning about the cultures of his brothers and of the people in the area.

Answers to the question: “How did you choose to enter formation with the Oblates?” are as interesting and diverse as the individuals themselves.

(L-R front) Fr. Frank, Fr. Sal, Michael, 2nd row, Alfred, Eliakim, Back, Edwin (Photo: Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI)

Eliakim, prior to meeting the Oblates, describes himself as, “Not a real church guy.” He said he met the Oblates in 2019 and that they are the only missionaries he has ever known. He feels his vocation is like a gift to himself, he loves learning about the Founder, St. Eugene de Mazenod and the Oblate charism.

Michael grew up in a protestant household, but his family stopped going to church when he was young. During his sophomore year at Rice University, he started studying the Catholic faith and was confirmed about a year later, in 2021. He discussed his faith and an interest in priesthood with the Catholic Chaplain at Rice at the time, Fr. Raymond Cook, OMI (now U.S. Provincial). Michael says Fr. Cook loaned him a copy of the preface to the Oblate Rules and Constitutions written by St. Eugene de Mazenod. It was the Founder’s words: “We must strive first of all to lead people to act like human beings, and then like Christians, and finally, we must help them to become saints. “That led him to go further. (This famous quote from de Mazenod was also cited by the other novices).

Alfred and Eliakim helping with food distribution at Catholic Charities (Photo: Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI)

Edwin grew up in a Catholic home and began thinking about religious life at a young age. He got to know Oblate Bishop Evans Chinyemba and attended an Oblate “Come and See” event in 2020 while he was still in High School. After graduating Edwin spent three years in an Oblate pre-novitiate in studies and discernment before moving on the novitiate here in the U.S.

Alfred went to work in a Bank after high school and found helping people with their financial needs to be the most rewarding part of the job. He thought about other ways he might help people and in 2019 he began thinking about priesthood – “but which kind?” After considering a diocesan priesthood, he attended an Oblate “Come and See” event. He said he liked the “Community and kindness among the Oblates,” and that was what inspired him to enter formation with them.

At their welcome ceremony in August the young men pose with their formators: (L-R) Fr. Frank Kuczera, Alfred Lungu, Michael Katona, Edwin Silwimba, Bro. George Litiya, Eliakim Mbenda, Fr. Sal Gonzalez

Though some of their comments are unique, the young men all expressed their love of community and the Oblate charism, and the pleasure and fulfillment they get when performing ministry at local parishes, Catholic Charities, and St. Patrick’s Center. They also express their appreciation for their Oblate formators, Fr. Frank Kuczera, Sal Gonzalez, and Bro. George Litiya, as friends, mentors, and spiritual advisors.

Their year of prayer and discernment has just begun but these young men appear to be heading in a very promising direction.

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