1983 — 2023 • 40 Years of Grace

Reflections on
40 Years
of Oblates in Zimbabwe

"Teach them to be human first, then Christians and ultimately saints." — St. Eugene de Mazenod

The Zimbabwe Mission was started in 1983. With an initial team who took on the responsibility of four Parishes/Missions in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo.

Fr. Sholto Francis Douglas OMI

Reflection on Oblates in Zimbabwe (1983 to November 2022)

The Beginning

North of the Limpopo

A new frontier for the Oblate charism

Hallmarks of Presence

Pioneer Missionaries

Frs Bob De Sylva, Hugh Dalton, Paul Horrocks, Augustine Makololo, Chris Richmond

Youth Ministry

Special care for the ministry to the youth

Local Vocations

Significant number of locally born Oblates and continuing growth

Historical Reflection

From Two Provinces
to OMISA

The Mission was first and foremost an initiative of both the Natal and Northern Provinces, but this partnership had many logistical difficulties and in 2000, the Mission was entrusted solely to the animation of the Natal Province.

After the amalgamation of the three South African provinces into OMISA (Oblates of Southern African Province) in December 2017, it has taken responsibility for the Zimbabwe Mission.

People still speak most highly of these early missionaries: Frs Bob De Sylva, Hugh Dalton, Paul Horrocks, Augustine Makololo, and Chris Richmond.

There is a recognition that the Oblates have a special care for the ministry to the youth. The establishment of a significant number of locally born Oblates from the Zimbabwe Mission and a continuing growth in vocations marks the enduring legacy of these pioneers.

The Journey

Four Stages of Development

The development of the Zimbabwe Mission can be divided into four distinct stages, each with its own character and challenges.

1983 — 1995

The Foundation

Fr Paddy Hogan OMI, General Councillor for Africa, learned that the Bulawayo Archdiocese was most in need of priests because it had been cruelly ravaged by war — not only the war for independence, but even thereafter during the early 1980s in the genocide of the Ndebele people by the Fifth Brigade.

Bishop Henry Karlen requested that the Oblates not canvas for vocations for 10 years to give the Diocese opportunity to promote local vocations.

Fr De Sylva led the organization planning committee for the Papal visit of Pope John Paul II in 1988. Fr Hugh Dalton arrived in September 1992 to begin vocation promotion. The first missionaries came with a commitment to stay — Paul Horrocks stayed 20 years, Bob Da Sylva 17 years.

1996 — 2001

Transition & Growth

In 1998, the Oblates recognized that the growth of the Mission demanded greater commitment of personnel and financial resources. In light of dwindling numbers in the Transvaal Province, the Natal Province took over full responsibility in 1999. This period was characterised by young Oblates given imposed obediences without preparation and mentorship, leading to high personnel turnover and lack of stability.

However, there was growth in vocations with the establishment & expansion of the Pre-Novitiate, and a high success rate of vocations persevering to final vows.

2003 — 2013

Youth & Challenges

Youth 4 Life involved young Oblate priests and brothers, religious sisters, and young men and women forming teams to go to boarding and day schools for weekend retreats from 2009 until 2012.

High political instability and inability to secure work permits for Oblates made this period particularly difficult. The rate of vocations persevering dropped dramatically.

2006 marked the beginning of local vocations from Zimbabwe. A new Mission House was purchased for more efficient management. The Government of National Unity (GNU) in 2009 briefly revived the economy.

2014 — 2022

Reflection & Renewal

Pope Francis wrote on 2 June 2014 referring to the Zimbabwe bishops' 2007 Pastoral Letter, "God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed," describing "the origins of the spiritual and moral crisis" and how "structures of sin" require "profound personal conversion."

"Let us never forget the lesson of the resurrection: on grazed land life breaks through, stubbornly yet invincibly."

— Pope Francis

Violent demonstrations in January 2019. The 2022 consultation led by Fr Zweli Mlotshwa identified needs: overcoming tribalism, greater resource sharing, common prayer, authentic witness through vows, and increased sustainability projects.

The Next Generation

Scholastics Reflect on 40 Years

Voices from the House of Formation — young Oblates who carry the founder's spirit into the future.

Sch. Bro. Daniel Mutemachani, O.M.I.

The Seed Analogy

"WE ROCKED THIS, WE HAVE MADE IT HAPPEN!"

The more appropriate feeling for the significant milestone we have reached is celebration. The Oblates can proudly say our hard work has paid off in the face of economic challenges and social upheavals by God's grace.

The Seed Analogy: Growth amidst Adversity

The mission of evangelizing the poor in their many faces can be likened to a seed sown into the rich soil of our Zimbabwean society. One cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that Zimbabwe is multifaceted with complications of economic recession coupled with hyperinflation and high unemployment rates. Ironically, the Zimbabwean mission is flourishing. The seed that was planted forty years ago has grown into a magnificent tree that provides shade to the people of God.

Flourishing in Crisis

Beacon of hope to those in peripheries

Increase in Vocations

Renewed interest in religious life

Food Distribution

Serving the marginalized

Br. Josephy Mthunzi OMI

"Let me speak.....Listen to me"

Calling

"God does not call the qualified but simply, He qualifies the called." — Pope Francis, 9 August 2013

I felt called to the priesthood at a young age but faced initial resistance from my family since it's not a Catholic family. After persevering and receiving my mother's permission in March 2020, I applied to the Oblates. I began my Pre-novitiate in 2021 and progressed to the novitiate in 2023.

Joys

Participating in Oblate programs and experiencing unity
Helping remote areas and less privileged people
Working with youths and charismatic renewal groups
Drawing people back to a sense of sacredness

"Our mission is guided by Christ, in bringing healing, peace, and harmony into a world now ravaged by corruption and selfishness. Let us strive to fulfill the supreme law 'the salvation of souls' (Canon 1752)."

Br. Tyson Ndlovu OMI

Gift of My Vocation

The word "Vocation" comes from the Latin word 'vocare', meaning to call. Vocation is not just about a call but also an answer to a call. God calls and we answer.

"As we celebrate 40 years of existence in Zimbabwe, we give thanks to God for the gift of our vocation as Oblates. As a scholastic brother who comes from the Mission of Zimbabwe, I always look back where I come from and how God has led me to this far through sad and happy moments."

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart, Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will act."

— Psalm 37:4-5

Br. Albert Masundano OMI

The Humanity of Jesus

The Mission of Zimbabwe is marking a significant milestone of forty Years of Oblate existence in Zimbabwe. This milestone encompasses a remarkable history of foresight; incredible success and the lives of thousands of people impacted, influenced, evangelized, and nurtured under the care of the Oblates.

"Like Jesus who was perfectly human and experienced love, laughter, and joy; even as good as he was, he experienced betrayal, neglect, pain, and desolation, the OMI missionaries in Zimbabwe have immersed themselves in the local culture, learning the languages, customs, and traditions of the people."

Social Justice

Standing alongside the marginalized and advocating for their rights, embodying Jesus' call to "bring good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18).

Rural Missions

Establishing missions in rural areas, providing spiritual guidance, education, and healthcare to marginalized communities.

Makorokoto, Amhlope, Congratulations, Machena to the Mission of Zimbabwe

Sch. Br. Artwell Matsitsiro OMI

A Milestone of Mission and Ministry

Forty years ago, a small group of Oblate missionaries arrived in Zimbabwe carrying with them a burning passion to serve the Lord and his people. With humble hearts and deep commitment, they embarked on an 'Evangelizare' mission.

"Witnessing their unconditional love for the people they serve, my encounter with the Oblates was a transformative experience that ignited a deep sense of purpose and vocation within me. Having been in Oblate formation for the past six years, my journey has been a profound one, marked by both immense joys and sorrows."

"May our legacy be one of love, our impact be one of transformation and our future be of continued service to the Lord and his people."

Sch. Bro. Sandile Ncube O.M.I.

Body and Blood of Christ Parish

In the 40 years that the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate have been in Zimbabwe, they have been present at my home parish; Body and Blood of Christ in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo since 2008. The arrival of the Oblates granted Body and Blood of Christ parish status since it had been an outstation of St. Mary's Cathedral.

Parish Priests Who Served

Fr. Khoza O.M.I. Fr. Sholto Douglas O.M.I. Fr. Jeffrey Madondo O.M.I. Fr. Aurelio Ayala O.M.I. Fr. Lucky Mandava O.M.I.

"I have been blessed by the presence of the Oblates at my parish, as they have served as an inspiration for me to join the congregation. I have witnessed the missionary identity of the congregation through Fr. Sholto and Fr. Ayala. These two Oblates left their countries and accepted the obedience to work thousands of kilometres from their countries."

Br. Thulani K Ndlovu OMI

Oblates: Stewards to the Poor

This year as we celebrate 40 years of existence in Zimbabwe, we celebrate the life and the spirit of our founder St Eugene de Mazenod, which still lives amongst the poor people of Zimbabwe. Our founder had a big heart which was so accommodative to the world.

"Living as intended by the founder as states in the preface of the Constitutions and Rules: men filled with zeal, ready to sacrifice goods, talents, ease, self, even their life, for the love of Jesus Christ, the service of the Church, and the sanctification of their brethren."

People residing close to Oblate properties with borehole water come to fetch water for domestic use.

Oblates share what they have with the poor, families of God, despite the country's hardships.

Br. Tinashe Nyoni OMI

The Mission of Zimbabwe

In the year 2010, I discovered the Oblates through the Youth for Life program. That experience drew me closer to the oblates and I wanted to know more about them. The few Oblates I met showed true witness of Christ to the young people.

My combined experience with the Zimbabwean Mission is three years (two years of Pre-Novitiate and a year of regency). The first two years of my vocation journey gave me a firm foundation for the life I had chosen to follow. Even though my understanding of religious life was still shallow, I could identify the good and the hope that was brought by the Oblates to all people who had an encounter with an Oblate.

"The sight of these evils has so touched the hearts of certain priests, zealous for the glory of God, men with an ardent love for the Church, that they are willing to give their lives, if need be, for the salvation of souls."

— Preface of the Constitution and Rules

Sch. Br. Rodney Takudzwa Kamutingondo

Oblates Are At Home

A good, comfortable, cosy, friendly, kind, loving, caring, charitable, and warm home was provided on earth for Jesus Christ, all thanks to his earthly parents, Mary and Joseph. This same good home shaped His heart to be a home, which later on became a home for many people He encountered.

"The mission of Zimbabwe has been a home to the Oblates for the last forty years, since the year 1983. It even goes on further, Zimbabweans too have found a home with the Oblates. 'Home is more than a house or a place on a map. It's a place in the heart, the place where you most want to be at the end of the day.' (Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI)"

St. Luke's

Lupane

St. Kizito

Insuza

3 Parishes

Bulawayo

Maraire

Masvingo

Br. Christopher Chipapata OMI

40th Anniversary Reflection

"O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever" (Psalm 107:1)

This year marks forty years of Oblate ministry in our beloved country Zimbabwe. It has been a journey of enkindling the light of faith and serving the people of God. It is a moment of reflecting with deep gratitude upon the pioneer missionaries who came to establish the mission of Zimbabwe.

The missionary zeal that animated the first Oblate missionaries to Zimbabwe and sustained them through the challenges they faced, continue to be the blue-print for us who are following their foot prints. We are indebted to render admiration to the Oblates missionaries who walked before us, since we are walking behind following their pioneering steps.

Pray for Vocations

Projects for Sustenance

Unity & Charity

Looking Ahead

The Path Forward

From the 2022 consultation led by Fr Zweli Mlotshwa, several key priorities emerged for the future of the Zimbabwe Mission:

Overcoming Tribalism

Through collaboration, forgiveness and healing. Being open to contributions from other cultures.

Resource Sharing

Greater sharing of human and financial resources among Oblates in Zimbabwe.

Partnership

Oblate Units partnering in mutually beneficial relationships for common mission.

Common Prayer

Regular monthly gatherings for life of common prayer together.

Authentic Witness

Collective ongoing conversion to the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience and perseverance.

Sustainability

Increase common Oblate funds, build administrative block and retirement home.

People who are sent to Zimbabwe must commit for a minimum of 10 years. The Province should be careful to transfer people outside the Zimbabwe Mission at its early stage. The Province must acknowledge the need for stability of Oblates in the Mission.

In Gratitude

As experts in difficult missions, let us continue embracing those words which were said by Pope Pius XI in 1826 when our constitution was approved — our work will be rewarded in heaven.

"Let us keep on asking our Mother Mary to continue interceding for us, St Eugene, blessed Joseph Gerrard and Joseph Cedula, and with all Oblates in heaven."

Makorokoto, Amhlope, Congratulations, Machena

To the Mission of Zimbabwe

Reflections on 40 Years of Oblates in Zimbabwe