“Come you Blessed of my Father, take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Mt. 25:34

On 2nd September, 2024, at 2.30 p.m., our beloved Fr Willibrord (Gerwin) Nzota OSB, commended his soul calmly to his eternal Father of heaven.

Fr Willibrord Nzota OSB, was born on the 26th January 1959 in Igoma – Uwemba, in Njombe region to parents father Franz Nzota and mother Illuminata Luganga, in the family of seven children, four men and three women.

The late Fr. Willibrord Nzota, received the Sacrament of Baptism on the 15th February 1959, and holy communion on 24th September 1971.  Then he was confirmed on 26th September 1971.

He attended his primary education at Igoma and completed standard 7 in 1975.  After joining the Monastery, and after his first monastic vows he was sent to Hanga Religious Seminary for secondary education, from 1985 to 1989. After then he went to Maua Seminary belonging to the Capuchins in Kilimanjaro region where he completed his advanced education in 1993, (form five and six).

The Late Fr Willibrord Nzota started his vocation in our Benedictine life in 1979 as a candidate, and after his novitiate, he was accepted to make his first profession on 16th June 1982, under Rev. Fr. Prior Gregory Mwageni OSB.  In 1988, he professed his solemn vows before Rev. Fr. Prior Administrator Winfried Mlowe OSB.

In 1992, he was sent to the Salvatorian Institute (today Jordan University College – JUCO) for priestly studies that is, to study philosophy and Theology up to 1999, when he completed, and after having fulfilled all ministerial requirements, was Ordained deacon by His Lordship Telesphor Mkude, Bishop of Morogoro (as he then was) on 12th December 1999 in the University Chapel.  Thereafter, he was Ordained a Catholic Priest in Hanga Abbey Church by His Lordship Placidus Gervas Nkalanga OSB, the Bishop Emeritus on 16th June 2000.

After Ordination, one year later 2001, he was sent to our Monastic house in Katibunga, Zambia a dependent house of Hanga to be a novice master and to look after all beginners for monastic life, however, later on the same year was appointed   the prior of the Community, the position he served until he retired in 2017, and came back to Hanga. In Hanga and after his Sabbatical year, on 5th July 2021, was appointed the rector of our minor Hanga Seminary, the work and position held until his death.

On top of that, the late Fr. Willibrord Nzota OSB, in his lifetime as a monk, worked in the food store of the Monastery and sometimes as assistant in Cellario’s office. He also attended formation programs for three months in St. Anselmo University – Rome.

Sickness and death

Fr Willibrord Nzota OSB, in his lifetime, there was no experience of health complications. From the beginning of this year we started observing the deterioration of his health, and he was advised to go for a medical checkup. After investigation, he was discovered with liver infection, then the doctors of St. Joseph Peramiho Hospital who diagnosed referred him to Muhimbili National Hospital for more examination and treatment. It was very sad that, after investigation, he was discovered with liver cancer, and it was already worse beyond treatment. His condition continued going down day after day, until he commended his soul to his Creator.

Fr. Willbrord Nzota celebrated his silver jubilee of monastic vows in 2007, and he died at the age of 65, monastic vows 42 years, and 24 of priesthood. good years.

He is to be remembered for his hard work, creativity, perseverance, simplicity of life, visionary leader, very welcoming and respectful, a person of good wish and He will always be remembered for the good work he did in Katibunga for his long service there as the Prior.

May he rest in peace of the Lord.

Hanga Abbey by abbot Octavian and the Community.

5th September, 2024.