Bernard Bendel Formation House, Molange - Moshi, Tanzania is the house of formation of Novices of the ALCP/OSS during their Canonical year of formation.

DECISION TO START   THE HOUSE
The general Council   of the ALCP/OSS made assessment of the Community’s life in different areas in its   full session of December 1997 by winding up the year 1997. One of the important areas the General   Council dealt with was about   our   seminarians’ vocation and formation.

From the beginning our seminarians   were all formed at Sabuko Formation House in their different stages   of formation. That is why not good – not good especially for the novices who need more ample time and atmosphere   to discern their vocation to the ALCP/OSS. Due to this observation, the General Council   unanimously   decided   to separate Formation One and Formation two (Canonical year of formation-Noviciate).   Formation One remained at Sabuko   and Formation Two was moved   to Bernhard Bendel Formation House, Molange Uru. The General Council   informed   the Provincial Leadership about the change that would   be effective in the following year of formation intake that would begin in September 1998.

OPENING OF THE HOUSE
On 18th -9-1998, Bernard Bendel Formation House was officially blessed and opened by Rt.  Rev. Bp. Amedeus  Msarikie, Bishop   of the  Catholic  Diocese   of Moshi.  In his homily   during the holy mass, the Bishop   commented   that   there (Bernard Bendel Formation House) was a good place   to form priests   of the Christianity’s third millennium.

The Superior General   was Very Rev.  Fr.  Amedeus   Macha while Very   Rev.  Fr.  Phocas   Massawe was the Provincial Superior.  The instructors were Rev. Fr. Laurent Assenga as Formation Master and Laurent Mtaroni as Assistant Formation Master.

The first group of students (Novices) consisted   of seven seminarians; August Taabu  Mria, Dominick  Kisingi  Mlangwa,  Eladius  Kibangura Minde,  Gasper Mavumilio  Kyara,  Robert  Bahati   Makanja, Revocatus   Msafikiri   Mbuya  and Simon  Sunguka Shayo. Five of them   became priests of ALCP/OSS, one became diocesan priests and one did not become priest.

INSTRUCTORS-PRIESTS AT THE HOUSE FROM 18TH SEPT. 1998-2020
A psalm says, “If Yahweh does not build   the house, in vain the masons’ toil”.  if Yahweh does not guard the city, in vain the sentries   watch. In vain you get up earlier, and put off going to bed, sweating to make a living, since he provides for his beloved as they sleep” Ps 127. This is true to our house.  God has   shown   his blessings to this house from its beginning.  We believe that it is his work; we believe that it is his house. He will continue to show his blessing to grow more and more.

In the last twelve twenty-two years (1998-2020) the following priests have done their pastoral ministry in this house: