Our Inspirations

Fr. Peter Marie-Mermier

(1790-1862)

In the year 1838, Fr. Peter Marie Mermier – a French Catholic priest founded the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales. Among the other things he had in mind the education of the youth as one of the missions to be accomplished by this new foundation. As regards education he opines that one has to be a mother to the pupil by one’s tenderness and a father by one’s prudence. According to him “the heart of the education is the education of the heart.”

St. Francis de Sales

(1567-1622)

St. Francis is known as the Doctor of love has done great contributions for the renewal of church and society in his life time as well in our times. Unlike many of the saints – whose lives were full of marvelous occurrences which seem to be beyond the reach of ordinary Christians – the life of de Sales presents nothing sensational. His ideals of moderation and charity, of gentleness and humility, of cheerfulness and abandonment to God’s will are expressed with a common sense spirituality that is gentle and respectful of others – this lifestyle earned Francis the appellation of ‘Gentleman Saint.’ Furthermore, his ecumenical sensitivity and his personal gentleness together with his common sense rejection of extremes of the spiritual life of the lay people contributed to his being credited with this title.

Endowed with every virtue, he excelled in meekness of heart, a virtue so peculiar to himself that it might be considered his most characteristic trait. This virtue, which grew in the heart of St. Francis as a delightful effect of his love towards God and was nourished by the spirit of compassion and tenderness, so tempered with sweetness, the natural gravity of his demeanor which softened both his voice and manners that he won the affectionate regard of everyone whom he encouraged.

Mwl. Julius K. Nyerere

(1922-1999)

Mwalimu Nyerere – the noble freedom fighter and the FATHER OF NATION – TANZANIA – is great inspiration to our times. He was a very hard and diligent Worker and Great Thinker.

He was also a teacher who eloquently explained in very simple language, the philosophy he adopted, and the polices he advocated and implemented as Executive President of his nation Tanzania for 24 years. His ideas and the underlying principles have remained important and relevant for our time and the future.

Mwalimu as President was a prolific writer and critical reader of every literature that came his way. He had a vision not only for Tanzania but for the entire Africa in the context of this modern world.

Thus, the ideal society is based on human equality and on a combination of the freedom and unity of its members. There must be EQUALITY because only on this basis will men work cooperatively. There must be FREEDOM because the individual is not served by the society unless it is his. And there must be UNITY, because only when the society is united can its members live and work in peace, security and well-being. To ensure that any particular society adheres to its basic purposes two things are required: it must have institutions which safeguard and promote both unity and freedom and it must be permeated by an attitude a society ethic which ensures that these institutions remain true to their purpose, and are adapted as need arises. The essential nature of these requirements, and their implications, can be seen most easily in the smallest social unity and the one which was in its time perhaps the most satisfactory to its members the traditional African Family.” Mwl. J.K. Nyerere.