1968-2005

Father Madiya was the son of Leon Mawele Muanu and Maria Jose Tshibebula. He was born on October 10, 1968 in Kananga, Congo and entered our Congregation at the seminary of Mont-Ngafula in 1993. He was a philosophy student. He made his novitiate at Maputo, Mozambique and made his religious profession in 1997. In 2002 he was ordained to the priesthood.
He was assigned to work in Venezuela but fell sick before he could leave. He went to Turin and underwent prolonged medical treatment at the Koelliker hospital but to no avail. His health deteriorated inexorably. He was aware of his situation and asked to be allowed to die in his own country. Father Domenico Bugatti accompanied him back to the Congo and after a few days he went home to heaven on March 13, 2005. He was 36 years old, a religious for seven years and a priest for 3 years and 9 months. He was a gentle and cheerful person; he was committed, serene, open to dialogue and enjoyed the respect of the whole community. During his years of formation he was engaged in pastoral work in several parishes. He displayed a social sensitivity, an ability to relate to people and liturgical creativity. This work brought him into contact with the very poorest of people and as he wrote: “This is where I realized the importance of becoming poor, simple and humble to get close to the people.”
Those in charge of his formation recognized his understanding of our Congregation’s charism, his ability to adapt to various situations and a willingness to serve others. They saw he would make a good Consolata Missionary. Sickness kept him from realizing his missionary dream but through his suffering he discovered another way to carry out the missionary calling.
On the evening of May 13 there was a prayer vigil. On the following day at 7:30 PM there was an open air Mass in Mater Dei parish with Father Liévin’s body. His classmate, Father Osório Citora presided. This was followed by an all-night wake attended by many people.
His funeral was held on Tuesday, May 15 in Mater Dei church. The Vicar General of the diocese of Kisantu presided and all the Consolata missionaries along with many diocesan and religious priests concelebrated. Msgr. Kisonga, the auxiliary bishop of Kinshasa was also present. The Vicar preached the homily; Bishop Kisonga also spoke. Father Stefano Camerlengo read messages from Isiro, from Father Rinaldo Do (the Regional Superior) and Father Matthieu Kasinzi from Djibouti. Liévin’s parents and many relatives were present as was a large crowd of the faithful. His body was buried in the Blessed Sacrament Fathers’ cemetery near the Mater Dei parish.
Editors of Da Casa Madre


TESTIMONIALS

He had the heart of a missionary
I was sad to hear that dear Liévin had passed away. We have lost a brother who was full of enthusiasm and apostolic zeal. He had the heart of a missionary but unfortunately was never able to realize his missionary dreams. In August 2004 I stayed up with him one night and he asked me questions about our missions in Ethiopia and what I had experienced there. At the end he said to me, “Matthew, I never had the good fortune of going to Venezuela because I fell sick and I am sorry about this. But for several months I have been living a different sort of mission. Do you know how?” “No,” I answered. He went on to say: “I am praying that all of you in the missions will become true missionaries and will do good to many as Blessed Joseph Allamano taught us. Don’t lose heart – be sure of my daily prayers. I hope that the Lord will one day let me go to the missions …” These words are part of the missionary legacy Liévin has left behind him. I would like to thank the Congregation for the care it took of Liévin before and during his sickness.
Farewell Liévin. I know that you are in heaven with the saints and angels and that with your missionary heart you are praying and will continue to pray for all of us who remember you as a friend and a brother.
Father Matthieu Kasinzi

Remembering a friend
“I knew Father Liévin when I was a philosophy student at the Mont-Ngafula seminary in Kinshasa. He was beginning his theology studies at Giuseppe Allamano Seminary in the same city. Even though we did not belong to the same community we met often at Mass, retreats, celebrations, sport events, etc.
We called him “Tatu Mukulu” (someone who knew what he was doing). A beautiful friendship grew up between us and it was strengthened when I came back from the novitiate in Mozambique and we spent four months together at the Delegation House in Kinshasa.
He was in fairly good health at that time – although there were occasional illnesses. The superior had entrusted him with pastoral work in Mitendi, a community in our Mater Dei parish. I sometimes went with him in the car to help out there. He gave himself body and soul to this task. He was passionately devoted to helping and teaching young people even though his own health was fragile. One night he was so sick we had to take him to the hospital. The next day he was supposed to take the children on an outing and in spite of his discomfort he absolutely refused to forego the trip.
After he went to Italy for medical care I kept in touch by telephone. He was optimistic about his health and hoped he could still do something in this country. In reality his health was declining every day so I went to visit him in Turin before he came back to the Congo.
While we were helping him pack his suitcase Father Liévin assured me that once he was home his health would improve and we would meet again in Kinshasa. I told him that all our communities were praying for his recovery. He seemed so optimistic and hopeful. On the morning of his departure before he boarded the airplane we were together in the car for a few minutes. He asked me to thank the Bravetta community and all those who had taken care of and prayed for him. He embraced me and said, “Farewell until we meet again in Kinshasa. Study and be good.”
Father Liévin was not only my fellow countryman – he was my older brother, what we call “Yaya” in our part of the world.
May the Lord grant him eternal rest.
Alexis Kabwansongo