The general area of concern to the Church – Africa – was now identified. The Superiors awaited only the specific sign required by the Constitutions, an Episcopal request. They did not have long to wait. Bishop Joseph Byrne, Vicar Apostolic of Kilimanjaro Vicariate in Tanganyika, needed some help. The good news had reached him, doubtless from Propaganda Fide, that the Rosminians had men available. The formal request was made in 1943, preparations began in 1944, and on July 19th 1945 two of the four men selected, Frs. Walter Dick and Francis Kennedy set out for Tanganyika and the Vicariate of Kilimanjaro. The Institute of Charity was entering on the apostolate of primary evangelization and so more closely reflecting its model, the Church.

In 16 August 1945 the first two Rosminian Missionaries arrived at Moshi and welcomed by Bishop Joseph Byrne.
In January 1946 Frs. Walter and Frank were assigned to the Teachers Training College at Singachini. Fr. Walter was headmaster. Fr. Frank, as well as teaching, had the onerous task of producing sufficient maize and beans to satisfy the healthy appetites of young men in their prime. In January 1947 Fr. Edmund Spillane joined them and on May other two Rosminian Fathers came in, these were Frs. Jim Connolly and Dan McCaul. These were later followed by Fr. Ben Forsyth in November of the same year. The three stayed but briefly in Kilimanjaro area before being assigned by Bishop Byrne to different missions in the Tanga Region.
Back in Rome in the meantime Archbishop Constantine urged on Fr. Bozzetti the need to keep the flow to Africa going. He, the Archbishop, had received a good report from Bishop Byrne. In turn he had advised the Bishop, through the Apostolic Delegate in Mombassa, to prepare for the transfer of part of his Vicariate to the Rosminians. It was a timely decision, and only the fourth change since the Holy Ghost Fathers had founded the first mission station in Tanganyika at Bagamoyo in 1868. From 1906 Bagamoyo gave its name to the Vicariate, which accounted for almost half the territory of Tanganyika. Only four years later, in 1910, the Vicariate was divided, Kilimanjaro taking the northern sector and Bagamoyo the southern. In 1943 the western section of Kilimanjaro Vicariate became the Prefecture Apostolic of Dodoma, assigned to the Italian Passionists, and in that same year from a portion of the northern section the Prefecture Apostolic of Mbulu was created and assigned to the Pallotine Father. On May 3rd, 1950 the Rosminians took control of the prefecture Apostolic of Tanga, an area of 27,348 sq. Km., slightly more than one third the size of Ireland, 70,248 sq. Km., but only 3% of the area of Tanganyika. Apprenticed to some experienced Holy Ghost Missionaries, Frs. Forsyth, Connolly and McCaul were already familiarizing themselves with the Tanga Region from the autumn of 1947 onwards. On the 1st of January 1948 Fr. Frank Kennedy took charge of the Mission in Tanga town, St. Anthony’s where he was assisted by Fr. Jim Connolly. It was one of the four residential missions of that time, the others being Mlingano, Korogwe on the main road north and Gare in the Usambara mountains. This signaled the passage of the Rosminians from helpers to missionaries in their own right. Two years would pass before the territory became their sole responsibility; but that formality put no brake on enthusiasm and commitment.

Tanga was designated a Prefecture apostolic on May 3rd, 1950. This meant that it was an independent ecclesiastical entity with its own prefect empowered with the authority of a Bishop. It was not yet a Diocese, nor was he an ordained bishop. The choice for Prefect Apostolic was Fr. Eugene Arthurs. He would henceforth rejoice in the title of Monsignor. But that title would never prevent him from crawling under an ailing vehicle, opening, repairing and reassembling a diesel engine, welding together the steel beams of a roof truss or running up a scaffolding to check that walls were plum and all else in order.

GROWTH OF THE INSTITUTE

ITALY

The mother house of the Institute is Monte Calvario at Domodossola, situated at the foot of the Alps on the border of Italy and Switzerland. Monte Calcario is now a novitiate and a centre for spirituality. There is also a college at Domodossola, the Collegio Mellerio Rosmini. This was built in 1873, taking the place of a school handed over to the Institute by Count Mellerio in 1837.

Another college, Collegio Rosmini, is situated at nearby Strasa on Lago Maggiore. Here also is Casa Bolongaro, a large house left to Rosmini by the Countess Bolongaro and used by him in his last years. This house has not always been in Rominian hands, and since 1966 it has been the International Centre of Rosminian Studies.

Several early foundations had to be closed in Rosminian’s lifetime because of the political situation with Austria. They were the foundation at Trent in 1830, the parish of San Zeno in Verona, closed in 1849, and the parish of San Marco in Rovereto abandoned in 1835. The Institute still retains the Palazzo Rosmini in Rovereto, where Rosmini was born, and there is also a school.

In 1836 Charles Albert, king of Piedmont, offered Rosmini San Michele della Chusa, a vast deserted XI century monastery with a rich history, situated on a mountain peak 2000 feet above the valley floor between Turin and Susa. King Charles Albert wished t restore this sanctuary as a burial place for members of the Royar Family. It was agreed that the Holy See be asked to make over the monastery to Rosmini and his successors. It became first a novitiate and later a headquarters for missionary priests, but eventually the property of the monastery was sequestrated. A small community still lives there. It is designated a national monument by the State.

A school in Turin the Istituto Rosmini, completes the schools in Italy. There are also parishes in Milan, Trapan in Sicily, in Calabria, and in and about Rome. San Carlo al Corso, church of the Lombard community in Rome, was accepted y the Rosminias in 1906. San Giovanni A Porta Latina, one of the ancient Roman basilicas, was built in the 5th century and completely rebuilt in the 12th. The Rosminians took charge of it in 1937. Adjoining is the Collegio Missionario Antonio Rosmini, an international house of studies. It also houses the Generalitial Curia and is thus the centtral house of the Rosminian order.

In many of the apostolate in Italy the Sisters of Providence work alongside the brethren. The mother house of the Sisters is at Borgomanero. This house was opened in 1856. In addition they have several schools. There are active groups of Ascribed Members associated with many of the house.

ENGLAND

England was the first recipient of Italian missionaries. The story of the English mission is inseparable form the story of Luigi Gentili. When Rosmini was in Rome in 1828 he met this young Roman lawyer, aged 28 a tall, dark and handsome man who was a great social success in Rome. He had a degree in both civil and canon law. Gentili had fallen in love with a Miss Mendoza, ward of Bishop Baines, coadjutor to the Vicar Apostolic of the Western District in England. Alas, the young lady was removed from his company and he was disappointed and humiliated.

So he turned his back on the world towards a more spiritual life, and was accepted by the Jesuits. III health prevented him form joining them. He went to see Rosmini and asked if he could become a Rosminian.

Rominian arranged that Gentili should study for priesthood at the Irish College in Rome. He was ordained in 1830 and by this time had received many offers for his services, including one from Bishop Baines in England. First Gentili went to Monte Calvario, zealously entering into the novitiate life there. He developed a profound respect for Rosmini, and imbibed is work and asceticism with intelligence and conviction. He also had a priceless asset he could preach with flair and assurance. And he was a good cool! This talented Religious became the spearhead of the English mission.

From various requests Rosmini accepted Bishop Baines. Rosmini saw these invitations as signs of Providence and he himself was favourably disposed towards the English nation. Bishop Baines was an awkward character. At first he was delighted with the obedient, willing Rosminians. Gentili was put in charge of the college at Prior Park, near Bathe in southern England. When however two of Bishop Baine's best young men asked to be admitted into the Institute of Charity, this was too much for Baines who removed Gentili from is post.

Rosmini then sent Gentili to Grace Dieu in Leicensteshire in the English midlands. Gentili was present at Grace Dieu for two years 1840-2 as chaplain to the landowner, Ambrose Philips. He gained several hundred converts in the surrounding countryside, saw to the building of Ratcliffe College (1842), destined first to be a novitiate, He also established the Sisters of Providence. The Sisters came to England in 1843.

He began to preach public missions in 1843, and innovation in England which was just emerging from three centuries of persecution of Catholicism. He went to Ireland several times and ended his labours during a mission in Dublin dying of 'famine fever' in 1848. He wore himself out in innumerable missions and became better known than any other Catholic figure save Wiseman and Newman.