Pope Pius XII wrote in l957 the Encyclical "Fidei Donum". He called for more missionaris to be sent to Africa to bring the Good News of Christ to this continent that was so far so much neglected.
Many bishops turned to their home countries to seek assistance from priest, brothers and sisters who could help to spread the gospel.
Amongst them was the Right Reverend Bishop Dr. J. Theunissen, Apostolic Vicar of Nyassaland in Central Africa.
He approached the General Council of the Brothers FIC in Maastricht (the
Netherlands) and requested for brothers to strengthen catholic education
in the country. The brothers FIC complied with the request by sending
brothers to Nyassaland.
Teacher training
As soon as an agreement had been signed with the FIC, the bishop offered part of the Malabvi estate, which he had bought from a white tobacco farmer during the second world war for the building of the College. The western side which was flat, was for the generalate and noviciate of the Servants of Mary, a Congregation of African Sisters; the flat eastern side was for the building of a minor seminary. The central place of the estate, very hilly, most difficult and most expensive to build on was for the College buildings. Once the College was finished it appeared without any doubt the most beautiful site of the old estate. It was named "the Montfort College".
Staff, Capacity and Intake of Montfort College
Though not all buildings had been completed, the College opened its doors for the first course in l961. The total intake was 60 students. Two years later the intake was increased to 90 students followed by intakes of 180 in the years thereafter.
It seemed that Theunissen's most important aim had been achieved: a regular output of qualified catholic teachers. However in '65 it was decided that selection of students in the future would be done by the Ministry of Education. The College became automatically interdenominational with only a limited number of Catholic students. FIC Remained the proprietor with the right to appoint tutors of RC signature but without a say as far as the intake of students was concerned. Somehow Theunissen was still defeated.
Demonstration School
Just like all other Teacher Training Colleges Montfort needed a Demonstration school where students could do their regular teaching practice. This school was built between l962 and 1964. It opened with six classes and enrolled children from the neighbouring villages. Unfortunately it happened that before the buildings were completed the Ministry decided that primary education should be expanded from six to eight years. Funds for additional classrooms, had to be found.
St. Patrick's secondary school
This school was built in l949 in Mzedi as a primary school. It was run by the Montfort Fathers until l952 when it was taken over by the Irish Xaverian brothers. They did not continue standard one to six but started to develop a junior secondary school. Cause of lack of staff the diocese decided to call for the FIC brothers. Immediately after their arrival old buildings were replaced and new ones were added.
Gradually the school grew into a double stream with about 300 students. Up to l971 they sat for Cambridge Certificate of Education later for the Malawi Certificate of Education. Since l966 the examination results showed an average of 95% passes. Besides the usual ordinary academic subjects students had the opportunity to join a great number of clubs such as drama,debating, art, chess, Red Cross and a variety of sports. "St. Patrick's" had grown into a leading secondary school in the country.
In the past thirty years the brothers FIC continued their educational tasks. The years were quiet succesfull. Among all kinds of projects the brothers FIC took over the St. Clement's Secondary School in Mansa (Zambia), and took a leading part in the development of popular publications.
Anno 1998 the 29 brothers of the Congregation are working in Malawi.
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