Oblates Welcome Nine New Novices to Godfrey, Illinois

Back row (L-R): Fr. Humphrey Milimo, OMI, Brandon Garcia, Mateusz Brzezinski, Prasad Marapogu, Musonda Chota, Mateusz Garstecki, Moses Khisa. Front row (L-R) Bro. Pat McGee, OMI, Christopher Din, Chomba Kangwa, Henry Zayamoe, Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI.

Oblates and friends gathered at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Novitiate in Godfrey, Illinois on Saturday August 17th to officially welcome the 2019 – 2020 class of Novices. Eight young men signed the official register of novices on Saturday morning. One more, Prasad Marapogu, delayed in transit, arrived Sunday from his native India completing the class of nine Novices.

The Novices at the ceremony on Saturday were: Matuesz Brzezinski of Canada, Musonda Chota of Zambia, Christopher Din from Michigan, Matuesz Garstecki from Texas, Chomba Kangwa of Zambia, Moses Khisa of Kenya, Brandon Garcia from Tijuana and Henry Zayamoe from Burma. They join Novice Master, Bro. Pat McGee, OMI, Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI and a new addition to the formation team, Fr. Humphrey Milimo, OMI from Zambia.

Bro. Pat McGee led the gathering in a prayer service, followed by the signing of the official Record of Reception by the young men. The ritual ended with the singing of “Salve, Regina” and was followed by a celebratory luncheon at the Novitiate.

Oblates got to know the Novices a little prior to the ceremony, here (L-R) Musonda Chota, Chomba Kangwa, and Moses Khisa hear from Fr. Dale Schlitt, OMI.

Chomba Kangwa of Zambia, chats with Fr. David Kalert, OMI, who spent several years ministering there.

Led by Bro. Pat McGee, OMI, the ceremony begins.

The young men are asked to state their intentions.

One by one, the young men sign their documents of reception. Fr. Frank Kuczera, OMI and Fr. Humphrey Milimo, OMI watch as Christopher Din signs.

The ceremony concludes with the singing of the “Salve Regina”, and with it begins a new year in the journey of these young men in Oblate formation.

Published on the OMI USA website.