Since the academic year 2019/2020 the seminary has been giving particular attention to the formators on Pentecost Sunday, and hence naming it, Formator’s Day. Strictly speaking formators are priests who work in the seminary, but broadly include also all who are involved in supporting the seminarians in their formation like: the nuns, and the workers of the seminary.  The origin of this celebration is the Rector’s Day which ceased to be celebrated in the seminary for several years, and on revamping it, the current rector, Rev. Fr. Herman Kachema and his priest companions in the seminary, decided to make it formators’ day and celebrate it on Pentecost Sunday.

In this year, the day has also been chosen by the seminary community for congratulating our jubilarian, Rev. Fr. Theodatus Maramba, the General Spiritual Director of the Seminary, in his silver jubilee of priesthood. There has not been any other chance in our general schedule for this jubilee, yet this day has been the most fitting for the occasion. Rev. Fr. Theodatus Siril Maramba was born on 17^th February 1969 in Moshi. He was ordained a priest on 12^th July 1997 in the Catholic Diocese of Moshi. He was first assigned as a formator and teacher at St. James’ Junior Seminary between 1997-2008. He was then sent for further studies between 2009-2014, and graduated with Teresianum Spirituality Licentiate 2010, Gregoriana (CIFS) Formation Diploma 2011, and Teresianum Christian Anthropology STD 2014. After his further studies, he was immediately assigned to Kipalapala Seminary as a General Spiritual Director and a Lecturer in Spiritual Theology, where he is to date.

The schedule of the day began with the Holy Mass, the solemnity of the Pentecost, in the morning. The mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Theodatus Maramba. The homily was given by Rev. Fr. Herman Kachema, who gave a thorough reflection on the readings wile attaching his message to the three important events of the day in our seminary. Fr. Kachema said that, all the time is fitting for thanking God, but this time has been the most fitting for our community to give thanks to God, for the formators and in a special way, for the gift of Rev. Fr. Maramba among us. He said that the Pentecost Day should be for us the day to thank God especially for the gift of the Holy Spirit who is to us a great treasure for our faith, because no one can say Jesus is Lord, if he is not guided by the Holy Spirit. Fr. Kachema said that he had no much to speak about Fr. Maramba, for his life has been saying everything so openly, calling the attention of the community to learn from Fr. Maramba’s attitude of perseverance and humility. He quoted Fr. Maramba’s inspirational statement that, “it is better to light one’s candle than to curse the darkness”, saying that Fr. Maramba has been an ever-lighting candle in our community. After the Holy Mass, photos were taken for keeping memory.

The whole community was gathered in the evening in the seminary dining hall for a common meal to celebrate our jubilarian. Among the guests, were His Grace Paul Ruzoka, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Tabora and His Lordship Joseph Mlola ALCP/OSS, the Bishop of the Diocese of Kigoma. His Lordship Joseph Mlola is also a silver Jubilarian of priesthood together with Fr. Maramba and other three priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora, and Sr. Isabela CDMT, who is celebrating her Golden Jubilee of her religious ministry. Other guests were some other priests of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora, the CDMT Sisters, Bene Maria Sisters, other sisters of the nearby sisters’ communities, the Fraters of TMP, and few parishioners of Kipalapala parish. All the guests came as the proxies of their communities.

In his speech, the senior student gave thanks to God for the gift of all the formators, in a special way, the gift of Fr. Maramba in our seminary. While admiring the jubilarians, he encouraged all who are zealous to keep persevering. Rev. Fr. Kachema gave a speech on the day, explaining it as a formators’ day, which has been seen most fitting for celebrating our jubilarian. Fr. Kachema extended his gratitude to God, to the bishops, to the seminary community and the guests for joining in this event. His Lordship Joseph Mlola, said that his coming for this event has been a blessed chance which came while he was in Tabora for his official duties, thanking God for this chance. He welcomed all to Kigoma for his jubilee celebration in this year. Rev. Fr. Maramba, had a chance of expressing his heartfelt gratitude. He extended his gratitude to God, to the bishops, to the Rector of the community, to the whole community, and to all that have made the day look as it has been. His Grace Paul Ruzoka led the closing prayer and blessed the gathering, closing the event and allowing all to disperse. The day was colorful and a real blessing to the seminary community.

(Reported by Frt. Godfrey Fredrick Mkwe)