As we say goodbye to the year 2021; presumably everyone, in his own way, will be running down his “memory lane”, in a quiet contemplation of all the events that occurred to him over the whole of that year. Today’s article presents my own memories of the year that is ending tomorrow, in which I have chosen to focus entirely on the religious events that occurred during this year.; as they relate to Ukerewe, my cozy retirement home. There were a few such events that were celebrated in a big way and attended by many members of the public.
The relatively smaller events, included the consecration of two candidates who qualified for priesthood, who therefore became priests; and that of another priest who celebrated his twenty-five years jubilee of priesthood. All of these events were celebrated with appropriate ‘pomp and ceremony’ in the tradition of the catholic Church worldwide.
My firm plans for the end-of- the year celebrations, 2021.
For a good number of years now, I have been marking the end of each calendar year with a religious celebration of Holy Mass, held at my Ukerewe residence. And I have decided that the end of this year will be celebrated in precisely the same way; that is to say, with a special High Mass, whose lead celebrant will be the Bishop of our own Buda/Ukerewe Diocese, His Grace, Mhashamu Baba Askofu Simon Masondole; after which, being the host of that event, and as is normal on all such occasions; I will be expected to deliver a short welcoming speech to our distinguished guests; in which I will be focusing mainly on thanking the Almighty God for having granted my family the precious gift of life, and good health, throughout the whole of the year that is coming to its end.
But in addition, I have also arranged that for this special year, these religious celebrations will take place not at my residence, as has been the practice in the past; but at our community Nansio Parish Church; and also that the concluding item will be a grand display of fireworks, that will surely brighten the night skies of the entire area surrounding the Church , and far beyond.
And as already stated above, the main purpose of these religious celebrations is to provide an opportunity to the participants thereof, to thank the almighty God, for all that he has done for each of us individually, but also as a community, or as a nation.
My personal memories of the outgoing year 2021.
My main focus in this article will be on the historic religious event which occurred around the middle of this year, precisely on 4th July, 2021; which was the consecration of His Grace, Bishop Simon Chibuga Masondole, as the new Bishop of our Catholic Diocese of Bunda/Ukerewe; who thus became the second Bishop of our new Diocese, succeeding Bishop Renatus Leonad Nkwande, who had been elevated to the higher position of Archbishop, and posted to the Arch diocese of Mwanza.
I took the earliest opportunity to invite the new Bishop to my family home for an evening dinner party with my family, and he kindly responded in the affirmative. A date was agreed upon, and the dinner event took place as planned. As he was a direct product of the Catholic Church’s evangelizing efforts of the Catholic Church in Ukerewe; that occasion gave me the opportunity to review the rich history of this Church in Ukerewe, plus the beneficial outcomes of that history. And that is, indeed, what I did in my welcoming speech to my assembled guests in which I addressed the Bishop and talked mainly about the need for him (being himself a native of Ukerewe District), to urge or encourage his large contingent of well-educated, Ukerewe-born, local priests, to agree to undertake some serious research on some of the most important records of the catholic Church in Ukerewe, which actually cover the period of a whole century and a quarter (One hundred and twenty-five long years) as of last year, 2020. Revisiting the rich history of the Catholic Church in Ukerewe.
The first-ever Catholic Parish was established at Kagunguli Village in December 1895; and was officially inaugurated on Christmas Day of that year. From that time onwards, the catholic church spread rapidly to other many areas, including areas in what is now Mara Region.
But in respect of Ukerewe, the Church has succeeded in producing a very large number of Catholic priests who are natives of Ukerewe, who have been ordained during the whole of this period;. But this large number also includes three Bishops: the late Bishop Fortunatus Lukanima, who was Bishop of Arusha; Bishop Flavian Kasala, (the current Bishop Geita); and Bishop Simon Masondole, the current Bishop of Bunda/Ukerewe; all of this evidence provides a clear proof of that rich Church history. However, among that large number of priests, is the unique icon, and most extraordinary “priest of miracles”, called Padre Celestine Kipanda ‘Kasisi’ (1888-1953). The extraordinary story of Padre Kasisi
Reliable records, which are in the possession of Padre Anderea Msonge (currently Vicar General of Bunda Diocese), include some interesting minute details of the extraordinary life of this Padre, Celestine Kipanda; and the real miracles, which he performed during the period of his priestly services in Ukerewe.
There are several examples of such miracles which are reported therein. The English Dictionary defines the word “miracle”, as “ an act, or event, that does not follow the law of nature, and is believed to be caused by God
One of Padre Kasisi’s recorded “miracles”, is in relation to his miraculous responses to the silly, ‘colour discrimination’ attempts, which were being made against him by the racist white Missionaries stationed at Kagunguli Parish ,where Padre Kasisi had also been posted in 1945.
The relatively smaller events, included the consecration of two candidates who qualified for priesthood, who therefore became priests; and that of another priest who celebrated his twenty-five years jubilee of priesthood. All of these events were celebrated with appropriate ‘pomp and ceremony’ in the tradition of the catholic Church worldwide.
My firm plans for the end-of- the year celebrations, 2021.
For a good number of years now, I have been marking the end of each calendar year with a religious celebration of Holy Mass, held at my Ukerewe residence. And I have decided that the end of this year will be celebrated in precisely the same way; that is to say, with a special High Mass, whose lead celebrant will be the Bishop of our own Buda/Ukerewe Diocese, His Grace, Mhashamu Baba Askofu Simon Masondole; after which, being the host of that event, and as is normal on all such occasions; I will be expected to deliver a short welcoming speech to our distinguished guests; in which I will be focusing mainly on thanking the Almighty God for having granted my family the precious gift of life, and good health, throughout the whole of the year that is coming to its end.
But in addition, I have also arranged that for this special year, these religious celebrations will take place not at my residence, as has been the practice in the past; but at our community Nansio Parish Church; and also that the concluding item will be a grand display of fireworks, that will surely brighten the night skies of the entire area surrounding the Church , and far beyond.
And as already stated above, the main purpose of these religious celebrations is to provide an opportunity to the participants thereof, to thank the almighty God, for all that he has done for each of us individually, but also as a community, or as a nation.
My personal memories of the outgoing year 2021.
My main focus in this article will be on the historic religious event which occurred around the middle of this year, precisely on 4th July, 2021; which was the consecration of His Grace, Bishop Simon Chibuga Masondole, as the new Bishop of our Catholic Diocese of Bunda/Ukerewe; who thus became the second Bishop of our new Diocese, succeeding Bishop Renatus Leonad Nkwande, who had been elevated to the higher position of Archbishop, and posted to the Arch diocese of Mwanza.
I took the earliest opportunity to invite the new Bishop to my family home for an evening dinner party with my family, and he kindly responded in the affirmative. A date was agreed upon, and the dinner event took place as planned. As he was a direct product of the Catholic Church’s evangelizing efforts of the Catholic Church in Ukerewe; that occasion gave me the opportunity to review the rich history of this Church in Ukerewe, plus the beneficial outcomes of that history. And that is, indeed, what I did in my welcoming speech to my assembled guests in which I addressed the Bishop and talked mainly about the need for him (being himself a native of Ukerewe District), to urge or encourage his large contingent of well-educated, Ukerewe-born, local priests, to agree to undertake some serious research on some of the most important records of the catholic Church in Ukerewe, which actually cover the period of a whole century and a quarter (One hundred and twenty-five long years) as of last year, 2020. Revisiting the rich history of the Catholic Church in Ukerewe.
The first-ever Catholic Parish was established at Kagunguli Village in December 1895; and was officially inaugurated on Christmas Day of that year. From that time onwards, the catholic church spread rapidly to other many areas, including areas in what is now Mara Region.
But in respect of Ukerewe, the Church has succeeded in producing a very large number of Catholic priests who are natives of Ukerewe, who have been ordained during the whole of this period;. But this large number also includes three Bishops: the late Bishop Fortunatus Lukanima, who was Bishop of Arusha; Bishop Flavian Kasala, (the current Bishop Geita); and Bishop Simon Masondole, the current Bishop of Bunda/Ukerewe; all of this evidence provides a clear proof of that rich Church history. However, among that large number of priests, is the unique icon, and most extraordinary “priest of miracles”, called Padre Celestine Kipanda ‘Kasisi’ (1888-1953). The extraordinary story of Padre Kasisi
Reliable records, which are in the possession of Padre Anderea Msonge (currently Vicar General of Bunda Diocese), include some interesting minute details of the extraordinary life of this Padre, Celestine Kipanda; and the real miracles, which he performed during the period of his priestly services in Ukerewe.
There are several examples of such miracles which are reported therein. The English Dictionary defines the word “miracle”, as “ an act, or event, that does not follow the law of nature, and is believed to be caused by God
One of Padre Kasisi’s recorded “miracles”, is in relation to his miraculous responses to the silly, ‘colour discrimination’ attempts, which were being made against him by the racist white Missionaries stationed at Kagunguli Parish ,where Padre Kasisi had also been posted in 1945.
For example, it is reported that on one occasion, these racist white priest rudely prevented Padre Kasisi from sharing a meal with them at the same table. He obeyed, and went out without argument. But when the racists opened the food dishes, what they saw was not food at all, but only a collection of rotten insects. They summoned the cooks and severely admonished them for that “insult” but the surprised cooks could not see any rotten insects in those dishes, what they saw was only clean food. So, they advised the priests to call back Padre Kasisi to also witness what they were claiming to see, which they agreed to do. And when Padre Kasisi returned, he posed this question to them “If you are indeed people who believe in God, why don’t you want to eat with me at the same table? They then agreed that he should sit and eat together with them. And the miracle then happened. The problem of rotten insects suddenly disappeared !
However, the acts of racial segregation continued; for, it is reported that on another occasion, when it was Padre Kasisi’s turn to say the usual prayer before meals; one of the white Missionary quickly got up and angrily waved his right hand towards Padre Kasisi, attempting to prevent him from saying that prayer. Padre Kasisi is reported to have just gazed in total disbelief at this white Priest, and quietly muttered a few inaudible words which, presumably, produced the miracle that suddenly emerged; which was that the evil white man’s right hand became suddenly paralyzed, and could not be lowered again until the other white priests apparently got the message, and begged Padre Kasisi to forgive his victim. Padre Kasisi responded positively, and the victim’s paralysis then disappeared.
It is further reported that on yet another occasion in 1952, when Padre Kasisi had been transferred to establish a new Parish at Itira; another miracle happened. A group of young men and women at Itira Parish had successfully completed the required course to qualify them receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (Kipaimara); and had arranged for the missionary Bishop Blomjous, who was due to visit Ukerewe, to include Itira for that purpose.
But the incorrigible racist priests at Kagunguli had conspired to frustrate him, by hatching a plan to prevent the Bishop from going to Itira. When that conformation reached him Padre Kasisi felt obliged to travel all the way to Kagunguli, in order to plead with the Bishop himself, and try to persuade him to travel to Itira.
But, apparently, the Bishop had already been convinced by the racist priests; hence, his pleading also failed to convince the Missionary Bishop. The frustrated Padre Kasisi, thus returned to Itira, and did whatever he did, that again produced a real miracle; which was that when the Bishop had completed the business that had brought him to Kagunguli and was ready to return to Mwanza; his car engine just refused to start, and he was therefore stranded for two whole days, even though the mechanics could not see any defects in the Bishop’s car.
It then became obvious that this was an unusual situation; and the Bishop was advised to communicate with Padre Kasisi , to express his willingness to travel to Itira for the planned Confirmation. The Bishop accepted this advice and sent a trusted envoy, Padre Stephano Maijo (Matui), to deliver to Padre Kasisi his willingness to travel to Itira for the said Confirmation.
However, the acts of racial segregation continued; for, it is reported that on another occasion, when it was Padre Kasisi’s turn to say the usual prayer before meals; one of the white Missionary quickly got up and angrily waved his right hand towards Padre Kasisi, attempting to prevent him from saying that prayer. Padre Kasisi is reported to have just gazed in total disbelief at this white Priest, and quietly muttered a few inaudible words which, presumably, produced the miracle that suddenly emerged; which was that the evil white man’s right hand became suddenly paralyzed, and could not be lowered again until the other white priests apparently got the message, and begged Padre Kasisi to forgive his victim. Padre Kasisi responded positively, and the victim’s paralysis then disappeared.
It is further reported that on yet another occasion in 1952, when Padre Kasisi had been transferred to establish a new Parish at Itira; another miracle happened. A group of young men and women at Itira Parish had successfully completed the required course to qualify them receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (Kipaimara); and had arranged for the missionary Bishop Blomjous, who was due to visit Ukerewe, to include Itira for that purpose.
But the incorrigible racist priests at Kagunguli had conspired to frustrate him, by hatching a plan to prevent the Bishop from going to Itira. When that conformation reached him Padre Kasisi felt obliged to travel all the way to Kagunguli, in order to plead with the Bishop himself, and try to persuade him to travel to Itira.
But, apparently, the Bishop had already been convinced by the racist priests; hence, his pleading also failed to convince the Missionary Bishop. The frustrated Padre Kasisi, thus returned to Itira, and did whatever he did, that again produced a real miracle; which was that when the Bishop had completed the business that had brought him to Kagunguli and was ready to return to Mwanza; his car engine just refused to start, and he was therefore stranded for two whole days, even though the mechanics could not see any defects in the Bishop’s car.
It then became obvious that this was an unusual situation; and the Bishop was advised to communicate with Padre Kasisi , to express his willingness to travel to Itira for the planned Confirmation. The Bishop accepted this advice and sent a trusted envoy, Padre Stephano Maijo (Matui), to deliver to Padre Kasisi his willingness to travel to Itira for the said Confirmation.
After this agreement had been reached, and when the Bishop was ready to start his journey to Itira , his car engine presented no problems whatsoever! The list of reported miracles, which were performed by Padre Kasisi is much longer.
Apart from his problems with the racist white missionary priests described above; it is reported that he also performed a number of other miracles among the general community of believers; one of which is when he cured a sick child who was suffering from some strange disease, which was not responding to hospital treatment. When the mother reported this matter to Padre Kasisi and sought his assistance; Padre Kasisi simply instructed her to go and buy a piece of ordinary soap, and bring it to him. He blessed this soap, and said some prayers. Thereafter, he instructed the mother to go and bathe her child using that soap.
After only a few days, the mother reported back to say that her child had been completely cured of that strange disease. My basic intention in narrating Padre Kasisi’s story, was to emphasize to the Bishop, the need for further research and publication by the Church, of such valuable information. For, if such information had been made available to those who process recommendations for the Church’s Award of the sainthood status; perhaps the late Padre Kasisi would have easily qualified for that Award.
The unpleasant memories of 2021.
However, I cannot close this presentation without mentioning the unpleasant event, when both of us, my wife Anna and I, were taken ill during the month of March, 2021, and had to undergo intensive medical treatment, separately at Regency Medical Center in Dar es Salaam, and Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam, respectively. This prevented me from working on my computer laptop to produce the weekly articles for publication in this column, for three long weeks. piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
Apart from his problems with the racist white missionary priests described above; it is reported that he also performed a number of other miracles among the general community of believers; one of which is when he cured a sick child who was suffering from some strange disease, which was not responding to hospital treatment. When the mother reported this matter to Padre Kasisi and sought his assistance; Padre Kasisi simply instructed her to go and buy a piece of ordinary soap, and bring it to him. He blessed this soap, and said some prayers. Thereafter, he instructed the mother to go and bathe her child using that soap.
After only a few days, the mother reported back to say that her child had been completely cured of that strange disease. My basic intention in narrating Padre Kasisi’s story, was to emphasize to the Bishop, the need for further research and publication by the Church, of such valuable information. For, if such information had been made available to those who process recommendations for the Church’s Award of the sainthood status; perhaps the late Padre Kasisi would have easily qualified for that Award.
The unpleasant memories of 2021.
However, I cannot close this presentation without mentioning the unpleasant event, when both of us, my wife Anna and I, were taken ill during the month of March, 2021, and had to undergo intensive medical treatment, separately at Regency Medical Center in Dar es Salaam, and Muhimbili National Hospital Dar es Salaam, respectively. This prevented me from working on my computer laptop to produce the weekly articles for publication in this column, for three long weeks. piomsekwa@gmail.com/0754767576.
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