Photos courtesy of Ndanda Abbey and Fratello Simon, Sant’Anselmo, Roma<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
On 12 July 2024, the Congregation of Saint Ottilien received sad news from Abbot Christian Temu regarding the death by automobile accident of three members of The Abbey of Our Lady Help of Christians in Ndanda, Tanzania.<\/p>\n
\nEven before the morning prayer was over, confreres had already sensed that something terrible had happened. It is not normal that, during the Our Father, a confrere rushes inside the Church and whispers something in the abbot\u2019s ear. That is what happened on Friday, 12 July 2024. It was about 0615 hours local time.<\/p>\n
About half an hour earlier, our three beloved brothers, Fr. Cornelius (Clement) Mdoe OSB<\/a>, Fr. Pius (Peter) Boa OSB<\/a> and Brother Bakanja (Epimack) Mkenda OSB<\/a> had suddenly passed on through a fatal road accident. The accident took place in Mtua, about 60km away from Ndanda, while on the way to Dar es Salaam. The brothers had come to Ndanda to celebrate with the community the Solemnity of Saint Benedict, in which eleven brothers had made their profession (five solemn, six temporary vows). This day will go down in the history of our community as the saddest moment \u2013 so far.<\/p>\n
Each one was a unique gift to our community. As we mourn their sudden departure, we pray that the Lord of life and death may reward them for all the good they did during their earthly life. May he, too, clean them from their human weaknesses and make them worthy to sit at the same table with Baba Abraham, Baba Benedict and other saints in heaven.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Ndanda, as it is called, is a significant Benedictine monastery founded in 1906 by German missionaries from the Congregation of Missionary Benedictines of Saint Ottilien. The abbey has played a pivotal role in the religious, educational, and social development of the region, establishing schools, hospitals, and various community services. It serves as a spiritual center, promoting the Benedictine ethos of prayer, work, and hospitality. Over the years, it has grown into a vibrant community that integrates local culture with monastic traditions, contributing to the spiritual and social welfare of the Tanzanian people.<\/p>\n
We want to express our sincere condolences to the community of Ndanda and assure them of our prayers.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>