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to Keep in Touch!
Can you describe your childhood?
Deacon Clemente Félix Mario, M.S., about to be ordained to the PriesthoodI’m Clemente Félix Mário, born on September 15, 1977, in the village of Kalomemba, municipality of Ganda, Benguela Province, in Angola, Africa. My father’s name is Mario Tanganha, and he was a Bank Manager. My mother’s name is Eva Mbweta, and she was a homemaker since we originally had a family of five boys and four girls.
What was your religious formation?
There were many practicing Catholics in my village, and thankfully my parents helped me a lot in my religious formation. They fostered my Christian education until I received the Sacrament of Confirmation in 1993 at St. John the Baptist Church, my home parish.
How did you meet and join the La Salettes?
First, I thank the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette from Switzerland. Honestly speaking, the Christian background of my region or province is deeply touched by La Salette Missionaries.
I was an altar server, and at the same time, I was in the vocational group for discernment under such surrounded by La Salette Seminarians. At sixteen, after completing High School, I decided to join them. On September 16, 1994, I was admitted to the La Salette Seminary, my first step in La Salette formation, from 1994 to 1996.
After those two years of discernment and learning more about La Salette, I studied Philosophy from 1996 to 1999. I was in the novitiate from 1999 to 2000. The novitiate was a beneficial experience of religious life, learning the history of our congregation and deepening my La Salette spirituality.
(above) Fr. Clemente with his parents; (below) Fr. Clemente with some of his friendsMy first vows were pronounced on August 15, 2000. From September 2000 to September 2001, I had a year of internship in one of the communities with my fellow religious brothers and priests. I would describe that as a time of enrichment, focusing on friendship and community life. I pursued my theological studies from 2001 to 2005. I made my Perpetual Profession in January 2006, with ordination to the Priesthood on September 17, 2006. This was in the same year as the Jubilee of 60 years of La Salette presence in Angola.
What has inspired you about Mary’s message at La Salette?
After my ordination, I was sent to Namíbia, a neighboring country south of Angola. I was there for eleven years as a Missionary. It was not easy because it was always challenging to encounter different people, cultures, and languages.
In fact, I reminded myself of the words of Our Blessed Mother, “Come nearer, my children; don’t be afraid.” Her words helped me to adapt to a new environment by learning one of their native languages, Oshiwambo. I also learned English, the official language. On the other hand, at the conclusion of her message, Mother Mary said: “Very well, my children, make this known to all my people.” The words of our Blessed Mother continue to be a blessing by encouraging me as a humble servant to let her message of love and reconciliation be known to all people.
As I celebrate my sixteenth Priesthood Anniversary and staying in the United States since 2018, I would say that I’m fulfilling my dream of being a missionary and enjoying friendship, brotherhood, as well as community life. I’m an Associate Pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Smyrna, Georgia. This is a multicultural parish whereby I have the opportunity to learn Spanish and improve my English.
So wherever you are, I would invite you to have an incredible encounter with Jesus through Mary’s La Salette Spirituality: being reconciled with ourselves, others, and God. And if you feel a particular call, I invite you to join us as La Salette Missionaries, reconcilers for the world.
Long live La Salette!