The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord
of the harvest, to send labourers to do his harvesting" (Lk 10, 2).

Franciscan Friars from Polish Province of Mary Immaculate (from Warsaw) started their missionary work in Tanzania in October 1988. Tanzania has over 36,5 millions inhabitants. About 35 % of them are Muslims, over 30 % are Christians. The largest and the most important city in Tanzania is Dar es Salaam, and main used languages are English and swahili (kiswahili).

It was six years after Father Maximilian Kolbe was proclamed saint, so he was taken as a Patron of a new african mission. Polish franciscans started to work in parishes: first in Mwanga (1988, in the Diocese of Same), later in Arusha (1991), Dar es Salaam (1999) and in many chapels situated away or far away from the main centers. In 1994 there was opened a formation house (in Arusha). Two years later (July 1996) there was accepted a first Tanzanian candidate to the postulate.

In 2003, 15 years after the mission was found, first young Tanzanian friars made their solemn vows. Two years later (in August 2005) - in the presence of many guests from Poland, Uganda, Kenya and local guests - two Tanzanian friars: Josephat Mmbaga and Francis Mumburi were ordained priests in Dar es Salaam. It was a great day for the whole mission.

In April 2006, the main church in Mwanga was declared the Diocese Sanctuary of Divine Mercy (see the photos in the gallery) by the Bishop of Same. In December 2006 there was opened a new Franciscan Formation House (for the clerics), located in Morogoro.