Tanzania is a peaceful country and Missionaries are very much respected. It's also very rich in natural resources and Cultural Heritage. We the Claretians welcome you to visit us and to witness the missionary life of ours. In Ki-Swahili we say, "KARIBUNI SANA" which means most welcome.

In the history of Chennai Province, September 7 th 1994 is a memorable day. It was on that day, through the animation of the General Government and by the initiative of the Province of Chennai, Fr. S. Maria Arul CMF the then Provincial Superior and Fr. M. Gaspar CMF, the Pioneer Missionary landed in Tanzania in view of establishing our mission. At present Claretians have established various ministries such as Formation for Mission, Parish Ministry, Laity Formation, Education Apostolate and Claretians Communications.

2. Martrys Of Barbastro Seminary, Morogoro

Foundation : 2000 (Status-House)

The Martyrs of Barbastro Seminary in Morogoro was established by the Province of Chennai in collaboration with the other East African Claretians and with the assistance of the General Government. It was officially inaugurated by Very Rev. Fr. Aquilino Bocos CMF the then Superior General and blessed by Rev. Fr. Jesus Maria Palacios, then Prefect of Formation on 20 th July 2001. Very Rev. Fr. Aquilino Bocos dedicated the new seminary to Blessed Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro

On 16 th October 2004 the new chapel for Morogoro seminary was inaugurated and blessed by Very Rev. Joseph Abella cmf, Superior General.

At present there are 26 students and three priests from 5 countries: Tanzania, Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and India. The students are doing their philosophy and theology in the Salavatorian Institute. The Salvatorians are running this institution offering philosophical and theological studies. There are more than 13 different congregations taking part in this by sending their students.

Curriculum and Extra curricular activities:

Apart from the intellectual formation the students do perform well in the Institute and excel in contributing various extra curricular activities. And theology students regularly go to different parishes on Sundays to help the priests in the pastoral activities. The community members do visit orphanages and spend time with them. The formators take care of the spiritual needs of a substation Mageraza (prisoners) as part of jail ministry on Sundays.

The Catholic prisoners with due permission are allowed to attend the Sunday mass.

Nyamiongo Parish, Musoma (Status- Associated activity of Musoma community)

St. John the Baptist Parish at Nyamiongo Village was given to the care of the Claretians in the year 1997. From then onwards the parish witnessed rapid changes like the formation of BCC in ten places and committees like liturgy, faith formation, justice and peace, finance, marriage, environment and family life. The parish consists of 3000 Catholics with one substation. In the substation Mmhare a new church is on the process of construction and in the premises of Nyamiongo we have built a presbytery.

The Parish Priest,
St. John the Baptist Chruch
Nyamiongo P.O.Box 747,
Musoma , Tanzania,
Ph: 00255-28-2642373
Fx: 00255-28-2640031
Em: cmfmusoma@yahoo.com

2. St. Mary's Church, Kimara, Dar Es Salaam

Foundation : 2003 (Status- Residence)

The Kimara parish is situated in the midst of hills and valleys outside the city of Dar Es Salaam. November 30 th 2003 is an important date in the history of the Claretians in Tanzania. It was on this day we opened our third mission station in this country. His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo erected the Kimara Parish officially on 30th November 2003. It was bifurcated from the Ubungo Parish. It was the 43 rd parish in the archdiocese of Dar es Salaam the capital of Tanzania.

When the Claretians took over this Kimara Parish, it did not have a parish church proper. On Sundays the liturgy was celebrated in a big shed outside the small chapel for a big congregation of 2500 faithful, who regularly attend the service. The people of this parish together with Fr. John Francis CMF, the first Parish Parish Priest took great effort and built a very beautiful Church without getting any aid from outside the Parish. The parish has 3 substations and 67 Basic Christian Communities and a population of around 8000 Catholics.

The main purpose of this mission is Parish ministry. Besides this ministry we too assist the Claretian Publications. The catholic faithful are very active in participating in the liturgical and social programs. Though they all belong to different tribes they cooperate with each other and also with the Parish Priest in all his attempts to develop the parish. This parish has the following pious associations and councils: The Parish Council, Wawata(women association), Viwawa (Youth association), Utoto mtakatifu(Holy Childhood association), Chama cha Moyo Mtakatifu wa Yesu (Sacred Heart Association), Utume wa Fathima (Apostles of Fathima), Choir of Mary Mother of God and Choir of St. Joseph the worker. The missionaries concentrate very much on house visiting and vocation promotion. Eradication of poverty, diseases like Cholera, Malaria, Typhoid, Aids and Social evils are the major concerns of this parish.

3. Good Shepherd Church, Buzuruga in Mwanza

Foundation : 2006 (Status - Associated Residence of Musoma Community)

1. Makako Family Centre, Musoma

The Claretians took over the laity formation as first mission, which is known as Makoko Family Center in May 1995. The general objective of the centre is the formation of the laity of Musoma diocese, however its service is not only limited to this diocese, but also extended to the whole of Tanzania and the neighbouring countries. It is equipped with various departments and facilities to offer vocational training to the laity. It has got various activities such as nursery and model garden for eco-development, carpentry, poultry, piggery, dispensary, MCH programme, English medium pre-primary school. Courses are conducted on, Marriage preparation, health and hygiene, natural family planning, education for social awareness, gospels, foot reflexology and the like.

1. Bakita Paradise - Pre-Primary School

2. St. Claret Nursery School- King'ong'o in Kimara

3. Nursery School- Buzuruga

Bible Quiz : As servants of the Word, it is appropriate to initiate the people of God to read the Word of God. To facilitate the achievement of this goal, the community of Morogoro has been organising Bible quiz in different parishes. It was a well-conducted program with some preparation. We are thinking of expanding the program to many more parishes in the years to come.