CONDOLENCES TO METHOD NJOZI ON THE LOSS OF HIS WIFE, RACHEL

 

Adeladius Makwega – Mbagala

 

“Remember, traveller,
stop and look, stop and look,
I have died today; tomorrow it will be your turn.
See how I have been laid here,
and what I have left behind—wealth and family.
I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and naked I return to the womb of the earth.
One shroud alone is now my garment...”

 

These are some of the words of a mourning song that carries a profound message about the reality of human life: birth, life and, ultimately, death. The song reminds us that our earthly life has an end and that every human being must prepare for the journey into eternity.

 

A message of this nature reached Mwanakwetu on Saturday, September 12, 2026, through the group Vijana wa Wazamani Waliozaliwa na Kuishi Mbagala (Mbagala Zilipendwa).

 

The message was delivered by Mr. Robert Sinna, one of the leaders of the group, as he announced the death of the wife of one of its members, Mr. Method Njozi, whose beloved wife, Rachel Method Njozi, had passed away.

 

The late Rachel was laid to rest at Saku Cemetery in Chamazi, following a Funeral Mass celebrated at Mbagala Kizuiani Parish, Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam, on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.

 

A Friendship Rooted in the Past

 

For Mwanakwetu, this bereavement carries a particularly personal meaning.

From the 1980s to the early 1990s, while still a young boy, he played, studied and participated in the life of the Church together with Mr. Method Njozi.

 

For this reason, this is not merely a report about a death. It is also a personal expression of sympathy to a friend and fellow member of the community who has lost his beloved life partner.

 

Method Njozi, please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved wife, Rachel.

 

At a time such as this, words often fail us. The heart is filled with questions, sorrow and countless memories.

Yet, for a Christian, grieving the loss of a loved one does not mean losing hope. The Church teaches us to mourn and to weep, but not as those who have no hope, because our ultimate hope is in Christ, who died and rose again.

 

Method Njozi and His Service to the Church

 

Mr. Method Njozi has a history of service in the Catholic Church. He served at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Mbagala Parish, and later at Mbagala Zakhem Parish.

 

In honour of that history of service and his long-standing relationship with the Mbagala community, Mwanakwetu considers it appropriate to reflect briefly on an important aspect of Catholic faith: how the Catholic Church understands death and the Funeral Mass.

 

The Funeral Mass: Not Simply the Sunday A, B and C Cycle

 

In the Catholic Church, the Funeral Mass has a special place within the liturgy. Its Scripture readings direct the faithful toward the mystery of death, Christ's Resurrection, eternal life and the hope of resurrection.

It is therefore not correct to assume that every Funeral Mass must simply follow the Sunday Scripture readings of the ordinary liturgical cycle of Years A, B and C.

 

For Masses for the Dead, the Church provides special selections of Scripture readings intended for funeral liturgies. The appropriate readings are chosen according to the particular liturgical celebration and the circumstances of the deceased and the family.

 

Some Possible First Readings from the Old Testament

Among the Scripture passages that may be chosen for a Mass for the Dead are:

• Job 19:1, 23–27 — “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
• Wisdom 3:1–9 — “The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God.”
• Wisdom 4:7–15 — concerning the righteous person who finds rest in peace.
• Isaiah 25:6–9 — God will destroy death forever.
• Lamentations 3:17–26 — hope in the mercy of God.
• Daniel 12:1–3 — the hope of resurrection.
• 2 Maccabees 12:43–46 — the importance of praying for the dead.

Responsorial Psalms

Among the Psalms that may be used in the liturgy for the dead are:

• Psalm 23 — “The Lord is my shepherd.”
• Psalm 25 — “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
• Psalm 27 — “The Lord is my light and my salvation.”
• Psalm 42 — the soul's longing for God.
• Psalm 63 — “My soul thirsts for you.”
• Psalm 103 — the mercy and compassion of God.
• Psalm 130 — “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.”

Second Readings from the New Testament

These readings proclaim Christian hope in Christ, who died and rose again:

• Romans 5:5–11 — hope and reconciliation through Christ.
• Romans 6:3–9 — being united with Christ in His death and Resurrection through Baptism.
• Romans 8:14–23 — hope for the redemption of the body.
• Romans 8:31–35, 37–39 — nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 15:20–23 — Christ has been raised from the dead.
• 1 Corinthians 15:51–57 — victory over death.
• 2 Corinthians 4:14–5:1 — hope of being raised with Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 — Christians do not grieve like those who have no hope.
• Revelation 14:13 — “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
• Revelation 21:1–5 — God's promise that death will be no more.

The Gospel

The Gospel readings that may be chosen for Masses for the Dead direct our hearts toward Christ, who is the hope of eternal life:

• Matthew 5:1–12 — the Beatitudes.
• Matthew 11:25–30 — “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened...”
• Matthew 25:31–46 — the final judgment and works of mercy.
• Mark 15:33–39; 16:1–6 — the death and Resurrection of Jesus.
• Luke 7:11–17 — Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain.
• Luke 12:35–40 — the call to remain ready.
• Luke 23:33, 39–43 — “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
• John 3:16–17 — God gave His Son for the salvation of the world.
• John 5:24–29 — the promise of life and resurrection.
• John 6:37–40 — Christ gives eternal life.
• John 6:51–58 — Christ, the Bread of Life.
• John 11:17–27 — “I am the resurrection and the life.”
• John 11:32–45 — Jesus raises Lazarus.
• John 12:23–28 — the grain of wheat.
• John 14:1–6 — “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
• John 17:24–26 — Christ's desire that believers may be with Him.

However, this does not mean that all these readings are proclaimed at one Funeral Mass. The readings are selected from the options provided by the Church, in accordance with the liturgical norms and the official Order of Christian Funerals/Mass for the Dead.

 

Death Is Not the End of Christian Hope

 

This is where the message of the Church becomes especially important to a grieving family.

 

When a Christian encounters death, the Church does not tell the believer not to cry or grieve. Rather, the Church accompanies the bereaved in their sorrow and points them toward Christ, who died and rose again.

That is why the words of Jesus in the Gospel according to John provide such profound consolation in times of bereavement:

 

“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even though he dies, will live.”

Therefore, the Funeral Mass is not merely a celebration marked by sorrow. It is also a celebration of faith and hope—the hope that death does not have the final word for those who believe in Christ.

 

Mbagala Says: Rachel Will Not Be Forgotten

 

The funeral of the late Rachel Method Njozi brought together relatives, friends and residents from various parts of Mbagala, including Mbagala Makuka, Mbagala Sabasaba, Mbagala Kizuiani, Mbagala Mangaya, Mtoni Kijiji, Kibonde Maji and surrounding areas.

 

The Mbagala Zilipendwa community of people who stand together in times of hardship and happiness also came together to pay their final respects to Rachel and to comfort their fellow member, Method Njozi.

 

It is in moments such as these that the true value of old friendships becomes visible.

Those who played together as children, studied together and grew up in the same Mbagala community find themselves meeting again—this time carrying sorrow, memories and prayers.

Rachel has departed this earthly life, but her memory will continue to live in the hearts of those who loved her.

 

Our Deepest Condolences, Method Njozi

 

Dear Method Njozi, at this difficult moment following the loss of your beloved life partner, please accept our deepest and heartfelt condolences.

May the merciful God strengthen and comfort you, your children, relatives, friends and everyone who has been touched by this loss.

And amid this sorrow, may the words of St. Paul remain a source of consolation:

“We do not want you to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.”

 

We commend Rachel to the mercy of God and pray that she may receive eternal rest.

 

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace. Amen.

In memory, honour and heartfelt sympathy to Mr. Method Njozi and his family.

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Author's Note

This article is intended as an expression of sympathy and as a reflection, from a Catholic perspective, on the Funeral Mass and the Christian hope of resurrection.

For the official Scripture readings to be proclaimed at a particular Funeral Mass, the faithful should follow the official Catholic liturgical book for Masses for the Dead and the directions of the parish priest, since not every reading listed above is proclaimed at a single Funeral Mass.

Should there be any inaccuracies in the liturgical information or Scripture references, the author sincerely apologises and welcomes corrections from Catholic priests and qualified experts in Catholic liturgy.