Rev Fr. Emmanuel Enosy Shija was born on December 10, 1995, in Mabuki village - Misungwi district, Mwanza region, as the 11th child among 12 children of the late Father Enosy Maden LUKANDA and Mother Martha Gindu MASANJA.

**CATHOLIC FAITH:**

He was baptized on April 4, 1999, at the Parish of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary, Misungwi - Archdiocese of Mwanza LB 11483. He received his First Communion on September 19, 2007, at the same parish. He was confirmed on October 21, 2007, at the Parish of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary, Misungwi, by His Grace Archbishop Anthony Petro Mayala.

**EDUCATION:**

He attended Mabuki Primary School in Misungwi district, Mwanza, from 2003, graduating from standard seven in 2009. He completed secondary education, Form I - IV, from 2010 to 2013 at Mawematatu Secondary School in Misungwi. He studied Form V at St. Maria Nyegezi Minor Seminary in Mwanza from 2014 to 2015. Later, he transferred to New Era Secondary School in Tabora Municipality for Form VI from 2015 to 2016.

**CALL TO PRIESTHOOD:**

In 2016, he joined the St. John Paul II Formation House, Kawekamo - Archdiocese of Mwanza. From 2016 to 2019, he studied Philosophy at St. Augustine Major Seminary - Peramiho, Archdiocese of Songea. From 2019 to 2024, he studied Theology at the same seminary. On October 28, 2018, he was given the ministry of LECTOR at Peramiho Major Seminary by His Grace Bishop Emmanuel Mapunda, the retired Bishop of Mbinga (now deceased). On October 27, 2019, he was given the ministry of ALTAR SERVER by His Grace Bishop John Ndimbo of the Diocese of Mbinga.

From July 4, 2022, to September 3, 2023, he did his Pastoral Year at Christ the King Parish, Kiseke, Archdiocese of Mwanza.

On January 6, 2024, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacon by His Grace Bishop Liberatus T.K. Sangu of the Diocese of Shinyanga at the Kageye chapel, Kayenze Parish - Archdiocese of Mwanza.

Today, on July 6, 2024, he was ordained to the Sacred Order of Priesthood at the Parish of Our Lady Queen of the Holy Rosary, Misungwi - Archdiocese of Mwanza, by His Grace Archbishop Renatus Leonard Nkwande.

**Parishes where he served as a Frater:**

- July-September 2017 - Mabatini Parish
- July-September 2018 - Mwamashimba Parish
- July-September 2019 - Nyasaka Parish
- March-August 2020 - Nyasaka Parish
- July-September 2021 - Nyambiti Parish
- July 2022-September 2023 - Kiseke Parish

He thanks all those who helped him in his journey of education and formation up to this day as he approaches the Lord's Altar. He asks us to join him in thanking and praying to God during this ordination Mass.