Memorial Mass Held for Archbishop Ziyaye at Maula Cathedral

The faithful of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe gathered today, November 8, 2025, for a Eucharistic celebration in memory of the late Archbishop of Lilongwe, His Grace Tarcisius Gervazio Ziyaye.

The Mass, requested by the late Archbishop's family as is custom during the month of November when the Church remembers the dead, was held inside the Maula Cathedral, where the Archbishop was laid to rest after his passing in 2020.

The ceremony took place in the sacred St. John Paul II chapel, utilizing the very altar that Pope John Paul II built and used during his historic visit to Malawi in 1989.

The Eucharistic celebration was led by Fr. David Niwagaba, with Fr. Steven Chikhasu as a concelebrant and delivering the homily.

Fr. Chikhasu began by reminding the Christians that death is a certainty for all, and therefore, it is imperative to love one another while alive and to remember our departed brothers and sisters through fervent prayer.

Fr. Chikhasu then focused on the exemplary life of Archbishop Ziyaye, urging the congregation to follow the core virtues exemplified by the late Archbishop, which he emphasized as essential for a good Christian life:

* Devotion: The Archbishop was profoundly dedicated to spiritual life and committed himself fully to prayer.

* Discipline: He showed deep discipline by closely adhering to the teachings and tenets of the Catholic Church.

* Dedication: He was a person dedicated to the work he did, setting a powerful example of diligence for all who serve the Church.

Speaking on behalf of the Archbishop Ziyaye family, Counsel Innocencia Ottober offered heartfelt thanks to all who attended the memorial Mass, specifically acknowledging Fr. David Niwagaba for leading the Mass.

Following the Mass, the priests and the faithful demonstrated their enduring love and respect for Archbishop Ziyaye by laying wreaths of flowers at his final resting place inside the Cathedral.

The entire ceremony was made accessible to a wider audience, being broadcast live on the Catholic Broadcaster, Luntha TV.