ADVENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP by Joseph C. Ogbu (JoeNwaOgbu)

Advent of the Archbishop is a short biography of Archbishop Gervas John Mwasikwabhila Nyaisonga, of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mbeya-Tanzania. It is a book written in lines and verses, showing some great deeds of the Archbishop.

I

Gratitude lips ever bring to thee oh God

For thy love ever gives head grace to afford

As thou save body, from feeling sick and colder

Seeing days coming with gift, to grow higher and older,

As day and night offer blessings to head to be virtuous

So to declare to all despairing hearts; oh be courageous!

Through the power bestowed in a heart

That planted and designed only by the Divine art.

II

Here unfolds a song on a great and true Servant

Who works in divine yard not as a spectator but as an active Participant

Born on a brighter and a blessed November

Dated third, one nine six six as the year did offer number

Attracting the world on the first earthly cry

That gave joy not only to a family, but to the passers-by

Sounded at Mbozi-Mbeya with no human intervention

For all deeply settled in Divine protection 

III

The journey to life, directly unfolded all, God made to be fine

Recalling an era of; one nine eight two, and one nine eight nine

When completion offered to primary and secondary school

Making a heavenly plan brighter and marvelously cool

As heart and vocation met an angelic fulfillment in a major Seminary

Through the love of God, and support of the Local Ordinary

Who directed steps to truly fit the rhythm of a dance

So that life may not withdraw from its sacred stance. 

IV

Unique ever it sounds; seeing dream embracing reality

And lips singing with a matchless ability

To welcome a total portrait of a Man before a holy Altar

Whose gift was an indelible and priceless Character

Accounting on an event of, one nine nine six, July eleventh

That was, but a valid Ordination, nourished with a true faith

Ever granting feet strength, to spread true and Divine Word

Which unfurls heavenly truth, and pierces like a warrior’s sword.

V

Yes, legs totally remain ever on the mission

Officially arrived on an ordination, to gather its vision

Granting a father graces to minister as a faithful Curate

To give joy and Sacraments to souls, God did create

Showing the beauty of mission planted in love

As he daily works with marvelous graces from above

Maintaining boldly, justice and peace

And fighting for those of whom the world failed to give a smiling face.

VI

Yet! Through the living grace of Supreme Father,

Mission as well found a path to move farther

For a Man, not only as a Seminary Formator

But also an exemplary and genuine tutor

Who gladly promoted to be a true Lecturer

Confirming a head, as an intellectual bearer

Created to give every head an insight

So to assist people, guided with a true light.

VII

Oh! Can you see the fullness of priesthood

Unfurling precious duties resting on fatherhood?

Then, heard a joyous lute and flute

Singing and dancing, with an indefatigable salute

Offering praises to God, for the blessing of ninth March

Manifested on, two zero one one in the Catholic Church

Mounted in Dodoma; as a Shepherd sitting on a throne, placed on top

Amazingly, shouted in chorus; lips, oh! Here comes a new Bishop!

VIII

But what may tongue drop not to sing?

As efforts of His Grace gently passed every heart to ring

Nothing but sharing love and joy, jubilating on a true vision

Which later gave birth to a transfer on, two zero one four, to Mpanda Mission

So to bring hearts together, under a single circle

And to insert all with faith to battle every obstacle

That may descend to keep souls away, from divinely kingdom

Especially when life is calling, to witness martyrdom.

IX

Like eagle’s feathers hands move in the air

With no attempt to despair

But welcoming blessings of twenty first December, with gladness

Together with the great love rained, on twenty-eighteen with eagerness,

Then, young and old danced, minding not to find seat

Harps and Drums climbed up and down maintaining their beautiful beat,

All unfurling, but the flowing joy in the hearts

Through which hands came to offer different arts.

X

O! See wrinkles, like offering scar on smiling faces

As mission came to bless with marvelous phases  

Accompanied with divine strength with no pride

Stretching paternal hands untangle and wide,

Welcoming children to come and hold a paternal arm

Which often gives blessings with no harm,

Giving legs courage to embark on a true mission

With love and prudence, generating from an authentic permission.

XI

Now, look around, and hear how it sounds again

For divine grace is never a cargo to bargain,

For it arrived and dwelt earlier, and gave a name as a Diocese

But on a blink, graces came and presented a higher name; Archdiocese!

Accompanied with a loving and charming Father

With a mission to evangelize those living in a toughest weather

Without minding any obstacle or challenge that may suddenly occur

For here, rests a divine love on a head, ever on a stance to secure.

XII

To whom does drum gently call in and out?

May it be other figures, if not the great Pioneer of Scout?

Whose motivational spirit gave Scout an unbeaten sight

And mounted it as an unfading limelight,

Giving meaning to a youthful desire and hobby

Offering youths and elders a perfect lobby

Where discipline and integrity may witness discernment

Hence, granting every life a way, to grasp precious achievement.

XIII

Listen, but a moment, oh hanging ears

Wait not on haste, and hear what a message bears

As song brings closer, to reveal the Moto of Archbishop

Too mighty, too precious, find not in any shop

But built foundation on the Sacred Word

And securely clasp with a heavenly cord

Showing authenticity on divinely given assignment

Yes! That but a mission, ever fulfils with an upbeat commitment.

XIV

“The Charity of Christ urges us on”; whispers a Moto

Wholly beautiful like Mary’s Grotto

Spotless like early morning stars

Endowed Baba with marvelous characters,

Marvelling it gives the world on every glance

While seeing a Leader, gladly welcoming queued children at the entrance

With a hearty smiling face and charming manner

That all may come, to share from Baba’s endless dish and dinner.

XV

Oh, here lives a positive thinker and a humble teacher

Humble servant and outstanding preacher

Who ever stands bravely to battle evils and immoralities

That may embark to hinder people’s holy activities

Or may bring enmity in church’s unity

Or may struggle to offer ruin to members’ integrity

Especially when earth quakes, with her sorrowful eyes

Looking for heads to split and give a bitter ice.

XVI

Pay attention, and see an amazing quality of a Leader

Who daily stands firmly like a comfortable ladder

With an approachable heart and optimistic mind

Supported with a forgiving spirit; penetrating like a gentle wind,

Permitting no boundary to tribes or race

But encouraging all to be one and never depart from divine grace

No matter what life may daily unfold

As it may at times, arrivals with some experiences untold.

XVII

Remembrance again, blows our African flute

Defining thy diplomatic and reliable nature with a salute

Without forgetting thy openness to positive advices

Which settle to be testified as virtues, but never vices,

Oh our Dearest Archbishop and loving Baba

But little, mind arrived to remember

Knowing that great, thou have wonderfully done and achieved

As thou always cooperate with God’s grace, faithfully received.

XVIII

Proud, Mother Church remains on thee

For thy worth can never be rewarded by any fee,

Here, showing great image of a Man, who has never counted or measured

Love given to others, which always appear to be treasured

As continuation he ever makes to share blessings resting on his shoulders

Which can never be snatched away by strongest troop of soldiers

No matter forces and songs of threats that may quake from an opponent

Who has not or forgotten, that no one can set ablaze God’s tent.

XIX

Baba, thy name positively travels within and abroad

Written delightfully on a divinely wall, artistically broad,

But can it be a result of your identity as a Scout trainer, Priest or Bishop

Or may it, as a TEC President or an Archbishop?

Yes, but greater than all, lies on Man’s fidelity

To God, to people, and to duties seen to give a true facility,

For that, joyfully cry voices, with one accord

O! Thy name, thy life, we stand to imitate and record.

XX

Again sounds; Gratitude lips bring to thee oh God

For thy love ever gives head grace to afford,

Then, Children ask for more blessings on their Beloved Father

Whose paternal love persevere to keep nations together

And his wisdom breaks indifferences that may be slumbering at any door

As he lovely and equally welcomes both rich and poor,

Then, bless and illumine Baba’s apostolate

And may his works be done, as thou have planed and kept in thy divinely plate.

XXI

Listen! For sounding flute is drawing gently to have a rest

With a great zeal to take our Baba to Virgin Mother’s chest

As thy chidren, O Mother, with a humble heart, loudly pray and say

O Most Beautiful Queen! Ever stand on our Baba’s way

And never permit him depart from thy patronage

For no place is comfortable than staying in thy Maternal refuge,

 And with one heart, we ask to cover him with thy Veil

For thy name, Mother! The world ever remains to honour and hail.