The Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe has called on the catholic faithful to dedicate the month of October to prayer, thanksgiving and renewed commitment to spreading the Gospel, as the catholic church celebrates the mission month.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on behalf of the Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, who is also President of the Catholic Commission for Mission, appealed to all Catholics to pray for peace and unity in the world amid ongoing conflicts and wars in different parts of the world.
Bishop Mwakhwawa urged the faithful to pray the Holy Rosary daily in their families and Small Christian Communities, following the example of the Holy Father, who is expected to lead the Holy Rosary on October 1.
His Lordship Mwakhwawa has also encouraged Catholics to use the month to give thanks for the achievements of the Church, as this year marks 100 years since the establishment of World Mission Sunday.
The Bishop cited the growth of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe as an example of the impact of missionary work, prayers and contributions towards the Church’s mission.
‘’When the missionaries came in Lilongwe Archdiocese in 1903, there were only a few parishes up to 1926, like two famous ones: Likuni and Kachebere Parish. But after 1926, many parishes were born, So, up to now, there have been 50 parishes born from those two parishes. So, you can see mathematically it means after every two years, there was a parish opened. ‘’
The Bishop has further urged Catholics and people of goodwill to look to the future by supporting the Church through prayer, sacrifices and financial contributions.
He said the Church still needs to establish more parishes, schools and hospitals in areas where people have not yet encountered the Gospel.
He finished by saying that love should motivate people to support the Church financially, while also encouraging young people to consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Meanwhile, the Archdiosesan Pontifical Missionary Society Director PMS, Father Geoffrey Chikapa, outlined several activities that have been lined up during the month.
Fr Chikapa said the activities include daily Rosary prayers, One Million Children Praying the Rosary on 7 October, and a nine-day Novena ahead of World Mission Sunday.
He said the World Mission Sunday will be celebrated on October 18, which will also serve as the climax of the centenary celebrations.
A delegate from the Holy Father Monsignor Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, Secretary General for Pontifical Missionary Union will also conduct sessions with clergy, religious and lay leaders in Mzuzu, Mangochi, Blantyre and Dedza between October 5 and 10.
This year’s Mission Month is being celebrated under the theme, “One in Christ, United in Mission.”
Reported by Lester Mhone
Pictures by Titus Jata Phiri