“O Lord, hear my prayer” (Ps 102: 1 ff)
On December 31, 2019 at 3:00 pm, on the eve of the New Year 2020, God the Father in Heaven called Frt. Casmir Kadono OSB when he was in Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam while undergoing treatment.
Frt. Casmir Kadono OSB was born on 7/8/1959 in Nyantakubwa Parish in the diocese of Geita, Tanzania, from the parents Simeon Kayuli Kadono and Anastasia Nengwa Butondwa. He was baptized on 25/02/1960 and received the sacrament of Confirmation on 13/09/1970 in the Nyantakubwa Patish. Frt. Casmir was the last child among six children and was an identical twin.
He did his primary education from 1965 to 1972 at Nyantakubwa Primary School. In 1978 he joined the School of Nursing (Sengerema Nursing School) and graduated in 1981. After graduating from nursing, the nursing college of Sengerema hired him as a teacher from 1982 to 1983.
Our confrere Frt. Casmir Kadono OSB began his religious formation as a candidate in 1984. On 9/07/1985, he was received as a postulant. He did his novitiate from 1986 to 1988 and made the first religious vows on 11/07/ 1988. In 1989, the late Frt. Casmir, was sent to Mirembe Psychiatric Nursing School in Dodoma for a course of one and a half years. After that short course, he returned to the monastery where he worked at different assignments as instructed by his superiors, though mostly at Saint Bernard Hanga Health Centre as a nurse from 1992 to 1993.
Frt. Casmir Kadono OSB made his perpetual vows on 11/07/1994 in the Abbey Church of Saint Maurus-Hanga, and in December that very year, he was sent to Hanga Religious Minor Seminary for Secondary Education. He did not manage to graduate from his Form Four class following the health problem that suddenly occurred in the sixth month during the vacation of 1998 and which seriously affected his brain causing him not to continue with his education.
His profile: The late Frt. Casmir OSB loved and respected so much his vocation. He lived the philosophy of prayer and work in practice. He was so humble such that he could not do anything or travel without asking for the blessing from his superior. He was kind, compassionate and committed in helping others. He did not hold a grudge and was always friendly to everyone. He was so intelligent in class that even his teachers recognized it and used him to teach his classmates. The late was also a songwriter. For example, in 1987 he composed the song “O Lord, hear my prayer,” which gives us a reflection on the life of the human person. In addition, the late had the gift of patience. It should be recalled that his health began shaking when he was in Forn Four Class in 1998 and until his death he never recovered well. So it is clear that he lived with suffering but also with great patience. Despite his health problem, Frt. Casmir was very dedicated in his work as a formator and school accountant since 2006, but also as nurse helping students at our Minor Religious Seminary, Hanga, work which he did until his final breath.
His health, as stated already, began shaking in 1998 when he suffered from the brain malaria that led to a breakdown of some blood vessels. This problem affected him severely and resulted in paralyzing the left part of his body. After a serious treatment, he improved a little bit, however, not as perfect as he was before. But later on as he visited the doctors, they came to realize that he had the problem of diabetes which also troubled him for a long time. On December 10, 2019, his condition became very weak and soon he was taken to Peramiho Hospital for checkup and treatment. After an examination (tests) which were done by the doctors, it was discovered that he had high blood pressure and that there was a swelling in his liver; this problem also caused him severe pain. The doctors continued helping him, but after two weeks, they advised his superior that, if possible, he be referred to Muhimbili National Hospital for further examination and treatment.
On 25 December 2019, on Christmas day, he was airlifted to Dar es Salam to Muhimbili Hospital. There he was admitted for checkup and treatment, but it was not helpful for him. On December 31, 2019 at 3:00 pm, God called him to Everlasting Life at the age of 60 and 31 years of religious vows.
May his soul rest in peace, Amen.
The Holy Eucharistic for the funeral and burial was held on January 4, 2020
Abbot Octavian and the Conununity of St. Maurus Abbey Hanga
January 4, 2020