Anglophone Africa Delegation concludes Annual Retreat Amid Malawi Jubilee Celebrations

Published by Chancy Mterera, SMM in Africa Anglophone · Friday 07 Aug 2026 · 3:30
Tags: NU, AFA, 1369

[FR] [ES]

MANGOCHI, Malawi - The Missionaries of the Company of Mary (Montfort Missionaries) of the Delegation of Anglophone Africa concluded their annual retreat at Namiyasi, Mangochi, Malawi, from 26 to 30 July 2026, gathering for five days of prayer, reflection and spiritual renewal centred on the richness of Montfortian spirituality.

The retreat was facilitated by Fr. Hugh GILLESPIE SMM, from the United States, and coincided with a significant moment in the life of the delegation as Malawi marked 125 years of Montfortian presence in the country.

Among those in attendance was the Superior General, Fr. Yoseph Putra Dwi Darma WATUN, SMM, who joined the missionaries for the opening sessions of the retreat. Fr General had been in Malawi since 15 July as part of his canonical and pastoral visit to the delegation and to participate in the jubilee celebrations. During his visit, he received the Final Profession of Bro. Felix Nimanya, SMM, on 31st July. The following day, Bro. Felix was ordained to the diaconate as part of the celebrations marking the congregation's 125-year presence in Malawi.

Drawing on the account of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2, Fr Hugh presented Montfortian spirituality as a profoundly missionary spirituality that calls religious to remain close to Christ in order to receive and share His Spirit. He challenged participants to seek the "double portion" of the Spirit by embracing the commitment of true discipleship rather than remaining distant observers of Christ's mission.

Throughout the retreat, Fr. Hugh explored the Christ-centred and Incarnational character of the spirituality of St Louis Marie de Montfort, emphasizing that it is not simply a theological framework but a way of life shaped by the mystery of Christ's self-emptying. Drawing on the example of the Founder, he encouraged the missionaries to cultivate humility, service and total dependence on God as the foundation of authentic missionary witness.

The conferences also revisited one of the central themes of Montfort's teaching: the pursuit of Divine Wisdom. Participants reflected on the four means proposed by St Louis de Montfort for attaining this wisdom—an ardent desire for God, persevering prayer, universal mortification and filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary—while renewing their commitment to live the grace of Baptism with greater fidelity.

A further focus of the retreat was Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, the hallmark of Montfortian spirituality. Fr Hugh highlighted consecration not as a private devotion but as a radical gift of self that enables missionaries to view their vocation and apostolate through the eyes of Christ. Mary's unique role in leading believers to her Son was presented as central to the Montfortian charism and to the missionary life.

Reflecting on the missionary vocation, Fr. Hugh reminded participants that the mission entrusted to every Montfortian is inseparable from the mission of the Church itself. He described the Cross as the enduring measure of authentic discipleship, encouraging the missionaries to embrace sacrifice and perseverance with hope and generosity in the service of the Gospel.

The retreat concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment as members of the delegation prepared to continue their missionary apostolate with fresh enthusiasm, inspired by Christ's invitation to "put out into the deep" (Luke 5:4).

Following the jubilee celebrations in Malawi, Fr Hugh travelled to Kenya, where he is scheduled to facilitate a workshop and annual retreat for the scholastics at the Montfort Scholasticate in Nairobi in preparation for the renewal of their religious vows. Father General has since returned to Rome and is expected to revisit Malawi later this year for the national celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Catholic Church in Malawi, organised by the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB).

By Chancy Mterera, SMM

Bishop Nervi Community, Lilongwe-Malawi

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