French Catholic mis¬sionaries sacrificed them¬selves to have Chaminade secondary school establsihed in Karonga district in 1962, Bishop for Karonga Diocese, Mathews Mtumbuka, said recently.

"Chaminade is the sign of their dedication for the good of the local church in Malawi," said Mtumbuka at celebrations to mark 50 years since the school, popularly known as the 'School of Champions' was established.

He was referring to Blessed Father William Joseph Chami¬nade, a French national, and of the Marianist Brothers, founder of the school, Brothers George Dury, the first headmaster, Mar¬cel St. Denis and Bishop J.L. Jo¬bidon.

"As we give thanks to God for the 50 years of academic ex¬cellence at Chaminade, we too must hear the message of God through those who have sacri¬ficed themselves for us," Mtum¬buka said at the function also attended by Bishop Joseph Zuza of Mzuzu diocese, who is also chairman of the Episcopal Con¬ference of Malawi.

Fr. Chaminade founded a society to train a group of boys to serve the Church and this en¬abled them to attian good educa¬tion through Chaminade.

Mtumbuka urged the con¬gregation to emu¬late the spirit of the founders of Chaminade who willingly said 'yes' to preach the word of God.

The cele¬brations were marked with a high mass.