You Are Viewing Saku's Pre-Novitiate Story Page!

I now want to introduce you to my formation story. For now, here is my pre-novitiate story. Pre-novitiate is the first step in the journey to oblate way of life.

Pre-Novitiate, 2001 and 2002

On January 23, 2001, I said goodbye to my family and Limulunga. I arrived in Lusaka on the same day, together with Nicholas. We had a day to relax before the start of Pre-Novitiate on January 25. The Pre-Novitiate community was composed of nine of us in the first year, seven in second year and two formators: Fr. Ronald Walker (vocations director and superior of De Mazenod house) and Fr. Evans Chinyemba (the assistant). The first few days were for orientations and then all first years signed contracts on February 17. I was assigned to the Cathedral of the Assumptions (Roma Parish) for my weekends apostolate with two other prenovices Lloyd Kapyela and Vincent Lemana. I was involved with the youth, vocations group, visiting small Christian communities and teaching children who were preparing for confirmation. Coming back to the Pre-Novitiate, my portfolios were swimming pool and animals. I had to take care of the cats, which were the only animals and to make sure the pool was in good condition. We had in-housse classes taught by Fr. Ron and Fr. Evans and Inter-religious classes at Kalemba Hall too. There were many religious novices and prenovices (male & female). It was a good experience.

I had a month holiday in August and it was wonderful visiting with my family and friends. I also helped a bit at the parish. During this time, Fr. Patrick Chiso organised a meeting for all the Oblate aspirants within Mongu. He asked me to prepare talks and was almost like a day 'come and see'. Seven attended and I enjoyed the day. I gave talks to them on vocation, about St. Eugene and the Oblate charism and when the oblates came to Zambia from the United States of America. During my vacation I as well had an opportunity to visit the oblate community in Kalabo for a week when Fr. Chiso asked me to accompany him to take some sisters (Incarnate Word Sisters & Comboni Sisiters) who wanted to see Kalabo mission. Days passed very quickly.

At the beginning of September, 2001, I went back to the Pre-Novitiate and began my clinical pastoral experience (CPE) at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. It takes a few minutes to get to the hospital from the Pre-Novitiate and I was going there on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for six months. This time Fr. Evans had left for the USA and Fr. Chiso joined the Pre-Novitiate community as the assistant. My portfolios changed and I become a sacristan. I had some time to visit Chainama Hills Hospital with St. Michael Small Christian community of Roma Parish during the course of the year. Towards the end of the formation year, six out of seven second year prenovices were approved to go to the Novitiate. Otherwise everything else went on well and It was another good experience for me.

During the December holiday, I went to Kafue to visit with my sisters. I stayed there until Christmas when I came back to Lusaka. On December 27, 2001, I voted for my first time and left for Limulunga with Fr. Ron Walker who was going to Limulunga for the Delegation Assembly. It was good being at home again though the family was still in sorrow this time. My brother Godfrey lost his two twin daughters and my uncle (Twin brother of mum) lost his first born son the same month of December. During my holiday, I got an approval letter to continue with formation. Two first year prenovices were not approved.

Anyhow, second year began and the community was larger than that of 2001. There were twelve first years, six second years and two formators. Unfortunately, on the night the Pre-Novitiate officially began (January 25), my brother Francis was involved in a road accident along Great East Road in Lusaka. He died and was buried in Limulunga on February 3. When I came back from the funeral a week after the burial, I continued with my apostolate at Roma, having being joined by Chola Mumba and Michael Mashekwa. Lloyd was now assigned to Kaunda Square Parish. In the house, I was given the portfolio of librarian. Pastoral work at UTH continued until April when we graduated and were awarded certificates.

Fr. Evans came back from the USA sometime in May. Towards the end of May, Fr. Evans, Nicholas, Humphrey and I went to Lukulu for our mission experience. We visited for a week and came back to Lusaka early June. I found portfolios changed and was to take care of the house shopping and pantry. I worked with Wankie Mbuzi for three months and then was joined by Max Siyunyi later on in the second part of the year. I was in this portfolio up to the end of my Pre-Novitiate. Fr. Chiso left the community to join the community in Cedara as a formator and lecturer at St. Joseph's Theological Institute in South Africa. I went home for my holiday in July to August and it was a nice time.

Towards the end of the year, I made my intention of wanting to continue with formation known. I applied for acceptance into the Novitiate and was approved. This was a great achievement for me. This time I was busy preparing for Novitiate. My candidates got confirmed by Archbishop Mazombwe in October. In December, I went home for holiday. It was good celebrating Christmas at home before leaving for Novitiate.

My whole Pre-Novitiate experience was very profound and fruitful. Working with different people at the hospital, at Roma Cathedral, having lessons at the Pre-Novitiate as well as at Kalemba, contributed much to my personal growth. There were many times of inspiration during the two years I spent at the Pre-Novitiate. Occasions like ordinations were some of those moments. I had a chance to attend priestly ordinations of Fr. Celestino Chishimba. Fr. Kennedy Sampa and Fr. Kelvin Lubinda. Fr. Celestino was ordained on February 3, 2001 at Kabwata Parish.Fr. Kennedy was ordained at Mtendere Parish on July 21, 2001 and then Fr. Kelvin was ordained in November 2002 at St. Michael Parish, Kalabo.