By: Harry Walima and Ellen Banda
(Correspondents)
Religious communities in the Catholic Church – Mangochi Diocese gathered at St. Louis Montfort – Balaka Parish on February 1st, 2020 to celebrate the feast of their life of consecration.
According to The Vicar for the Religious in the diocese Fr. Isaac K. Mpokwe, the feast dates way back when consecration in the church was administered.
I cannot tell exactly when the feast was introduced but all I can say is that it was introduced when men and women started being consecrated.
This year’s feast coincided with the year of the Bible and the Bible was the main talk of the day as facilitated by Fr. Michael Zeitz from the Inter-Congregation Institute (ICI). Fr. Michael emphasized on the importance of reading the Holy Book and meditate on it. ” When you read and meditate on the bible, regardless of the time, as long as you are free, you talk to God and the Word of God is prayer,” Said Fr. Michael.
In his words during the talk and Mass, the Vicar General Fr. Frank Chingale, representing Bishop Stima, Bishop of Mangochi Diocese said that God does not only communicate through the Bible but also through other people and events. He urged the communities to participate in the events the Diocese has outlined in its calendar in the year of the Bible. “If communities do not partake in events aligned in for all the year of the Bible, how shall they preach in the year to Christians that they serve? Queried Fr. Chingale
He asked the consecrated to always reflect on their life. ” at different times we fail in our life, we need purification. We are therefore invited to go deeper to accept to be purified just as Jesus our master did”. Said the Vicar whilst alienating to the Gospel of the day where Jesus was brought to the temple to be consecrated. Fr. Chingale urged the consecrated to be light to the world for charity begins at home so the light should start from the communities to the Christians and be models to all. He borrowed words from Pope Francis saying ” where there is true missionary, there is joy” signifying to the consecrated that vowed for chastity, obedience and poverty must joyfully live as models.
The Vicar General ended his speech by asking all communities to remain United for the transformation of all Christians in the church and outside whilst thanking them for various works they are doing in the Diocese.
The feast of consecrated life is celebrated every year on 2nd February but this year was celebrated on the 1st of February to pave way for normal Sunday activities.
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