About Fr. Vincent Sakala, OMI
I was born on October 4, 1969. I am the third of 10 children and the son of a military officer. My parents, being very devoted Catholics, gave me and my siblings a strong religious upbringing. Although I always wanted to become a priest, after graduating from high school, still undecided, I studied Purchasing and Stores Management at National Institute for Public Administration (NIPA).
Upon graduation, I partnered with a friend to launch a small business. During this time, I was in contact with Oblate brothers teaching catechism at my local parish. It was through the brothers that I became inspired and even more curious about the life and work of priests. As I was discerning, I came across Fr. Ron Walker, OMI, the local Oblate Formation Director. His approach was great as he saw me as a young person striving to find meaning in life. Eventually, I joined the priesthood, studying in Zambia, South Africa, and completed in San Antonio, USA.
I was ordained a priest on September 4th, 2004 at Mary Immaculate in Lusaka. Prior to my ordination, I worked for two years in the Oblate Missions of Kalabo. Then I moved to Lusaka and worked at the formation House. It was during this time that I was asked to move to Mary Immaculate, where I worked as an associate then Parish Priest. I spent ten years at Mary Immaculate Parish.
On February 17, 2017, after consultations and an election, the Oblate Zambia Delegation installed a new leadership team, appointing me, former pastor of the Mary Immaculate Parish in Lusaka, Zambia as Superior, supported by 4 new Councilors. I served as Delegation Superior for 4 years. I was then assigned to Our Lady of Assumption Parish in Mazabuka. The Parish had been closed for over a year due to some misunderstandings. However, it has been a good challenge serving the people of Mazabuka. My emphasis has been on the spiritual dimension of the people. As I minister, I am overwhelmed with the poverty, the challenges that people are experiencing, especially of food. Throughout my life as a priest, I have always aspired to have a holistic approach to ministry.