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Novitiate is a one year intensive programme that comes after Pre-novitiate. It is where one learns more about the Oblates and where one deepens his relationship with the Lord and the congregation. It is quite a tough year and my novitiate was divided in three phases namely; Desert Phase, Pastoral Phase and Discernment Phase. It ended with my free choice of pronouncing my first vows as a Missionasry Oblate of Mary Immaculate.

Novitiate, 2003

My December 2002 holiday went on well. I had a good rest and good visit with my family. Time to leave for Novitiate came quickly and I left Limulunga together with Kabombo. From Mongu, Bishop Paul Duffy offered us a ride to Lusaka. We had a day in Lusaka and then left for South Africa in the afternoon of January 22. We were six all together namely; John, Linus, Kabombo, Humphrey, Lloyd and myself. The journey was quite long (about 26 hours) but adventurous. We had supper in Harare (Zimbabwe) and arrived in Johannesburg on January 23 at about 3pm. It was nice some Zambian brothers waiting for us at Park Station. We were warmly welcomed and I felt good.

Well, Novitiate began on a good note on January 25, 2003 though officially on January 26 when I signed some Novitiate forms. On January 31, we had a reception some oblates were there. The old novices took their vows on February 1 at St. Eugene Parish and we helped in singing. A week prior, we had orientations. I found myself with a number of portfolios more than anyone else. This gave me a sense that 'a lot' was expected from me. I was the manual labour director, a librarian, in charge of pantry and house shopping and also in charge of cars. I was scared at first and asked myself how I was going to operate in all those portfolios. Anyhow, with time, I got used and enjoyed co-ordinating all my responsibilities.

The Novitiate's first phase was the so called 'Desert Phase'. I had to be waking up at 5am in order to prepare myself for meditation, morning prayer at 6am and then mass at 7am, except on weekends. During the week, I was having breakfast just after mass had houses duties and then at 9am had office of the readings. Classes followed shortly after the office. We were having lessons on the life of the founder (St. Eugene De Mazenod), on the oblate constitution and rules, church history, spirituality and Religious life.Other courses were organised during the cause of the year, for example, human sexuality by Fr. Peter Galloway, OMI, provincial superior of oblate Northern Province of South Africa. AIDS awareness by Sr. Ntombi and many other courses.

Winter came and it was really cold. That was the first time I ever experienced such kind of winter. I received my religious habits on Easter Saturday and it was a joyful moment for me. I had monthly meetings with the novice master which helped to see if I was in the right direction. I also had spiritual direction twice a month with Bro. David Dupree, OMI. Otherwise the first phase went on well despite getting up very early in the cold.

In August, we moved into pastoral phase which was quite short. From there, we had a mid-year assessments and evaluations. I was recommended to continue the final phase of Novitiate (Discernment Phase). I was happy with my report and now my portfolios changed. I became in-charge of communications and the poor, Tuck-shop and music. I enjoyed working in these portfolios and was inspired working with the poor who are just around the Novitiate area.

Discernment Phase began with a discernment retreat from August 16 to August 21. The retreat went on well and was directed by Bro. Dave. Later on I had my annual retreat which went on very well. I had Sr. Elizabeth, OP as my director and she helped me a lot in the days of my retreat. During this phase I had more opportunities to visit a number of parishes around Johannesburg. Otherwise my Novitiate year was very fruitful and enjoyed the company of the other brothers and we had very good formators; Fr. Vitalis Marole and Fr. Paul Waldie.

However, there are many times during the year when I found Novitiate life to be tough but understood that all the difficulties I was going through were part of my formation. It was time of intensive formation and my experience of Novitiate is very positive. I cannot regret being there and do not mind even working there in the future. From Pre-Novitiate, I have had very good experiences, of which I think have contributed to my liking of working in formation. Again Novitiate was time of prayer. i got so used to life there that I felt like not leaving it to join a bigger community at Cedara. At the beginning of my novitiate, I made a resolution I had to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to journey with me and help me to make a good decision at the end. I was very happy because I managed to keep the resolution by meditating on the mysteries of the rosary almost every day of my novitiate. We were 16 all together at the start but 12 were approved to take first vows.

Also we had some visitors during the year, for example; Fr. Jean Bosco Musumbi, OMI, Fr. Rufus, OMI and were privileged to be visited by the superior general Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI who even planted a tree by the priests' house. Sometime in January 2004, Fr. David Kalert visited with us as well.

On January 31, 2004, my brother arrived in Johannesburg to attend the vow ceremony. It was nice him although I did not have enough time to visit with him. I took my vows on February 2, 2004 at St. Eugene De Mazenod Parish in Eldorado Park. I was very nervous on this day that I even later on felt embarrassed seing how my vow formular paper was shaking. Otherwise the liturgy was colourful and the choir from Blessed Josef Gerard Church, Freedom Park, sung beautifully including Zambian and Zimbabwean hymns we taught them. The day was the feast of the presentation of the Lord. I left Johannesburg at 11pm on the same day and arrived at Pietermaritzburg on the morning of February 3. We found Bros. Ewen and Donavan waiting for us and that is how I found myself at St. Joseph's Scholasticate.