By Mayamiko Sailes, nSJ
Greetings from Gonzaga Gonza Jesuit Novitiate fraternity.
Farewell with Fr. Gilbert Lasway, SJ
The novitiate community held farewell party for Fr. Gilbert Lasway, S.J. on Saturday, 11th of September, 2026 who has left the community for his new mission in Paris, France. Father has been missioned to go and pursue further studies in order to continue serving the Lord and others with diligence and love in the Society of Jesus for His greater glory. The event was essentially intended to share our last memories with our brother as he takes up his new mission.
The event was thoroughly organised with the commencement of an evening Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr. Gilbert himself. The mass was mulled and remodelled with a surprising announcement of new missions for the Secundi’s second experiment by the novice master, Fr. Charles Mnubi, S.J. sharing form one of the first year novices, Micheal Kimaliro, nSJ.
Nevertheless, the celebration was further blessed with a strong breaking of the word by a novice, Micheal Kimaliro’s in his sharing of true discipleship. He invited our sent brothers to take their missions as a challenge that requires courage, faithful prayer, and being contemplative in all their undertakings with to our found, St. Ignatius so as to serve as a disciple of Christ, which is fundamental to the Jesuit formation.
The event was finalised in our house of love, Agape where we shared our delicious dinner. The party was graced with socials that usually has holy waters to relax the minds, bringing more fun and bliss to the house.
Secundi-Second Experiment
From 18th of September 2026, Secundi will be leaving the novitiate to their various allocated communities for their second experiment. The mood is positive and eagerness to leave is equally high which gives a good impression to the primi and formators as they take their missions in formation with readiness and belief. Much as staying outside novitiate is said to be soothing, this spirit gives their brothers, primi courage to take their prayer life in formation so as to emulate the same attitude as they will soon embark on their crucial stage in formation, the spiritual exercise.
We pray for abundant grace from God to these brothers as they take up their missions. May they be filled with the Holy Spirit in their new missions.
