By the Office of Communications
A comment was like “God has visited His people” today, the 16th February, 2024 from the mouths of patients and guardians at Mulibwanji community hospital found in the Catholic parish of St. Ignatius of Loyola (Masuku) in the diocese of Mangochi. This comment was sparked by a charitable deed of presenting to them some different gifts of food and non-food items, by the Catholic staff of this hospital and other Christians who felt it necessary. It was an observance of the World Day of the Sick which annually falls on 11th February. The theme of this year, as announced by Pope Francis was “Healing Love: Witnessing to Compassion and Service.”
The event started with Eucharistic celebration, led by Fr. Francis Kachere who serves at this parish. In his homily, Fr. Kachere connected this event with the season of Lent in which we are. He said that as Christians, we need to view the sick with the human face by being available to them, with whatever we may have. “In the sick, we see Jesus because they endure the suffering with Him. As we cheer them, we also cheer Jesus,” said Fr. Kachere.
The Patron of this hospital, Mr. Tiyamike Chikasanda thanked all people who contributed for this event to be materialized. He also urged all members to continue praying for the sick, not only those who are in that hospital, but also all the sick in different areas. “We have not been the only ones in this diocese and the Catholic church as a whole. But we are happy that at least we have fulfilled one of the corners of Lenten season. Let this be an example to all those who stay in hiding or those who give a blind eye to ‘people like these,’” said the patron.
This annual Catholic observance of the World day of the sick was established in 1992 by late Pope John Paul II. On this day, the Catholics are encouraged to pray for or go and cheer the sick and at least offer some gifts to them. In this way, they show some kind of solidarity with those who are suffering and they encourage them to courageously suffer with the Lord Jesus Christ. However, St. Ignatius of Loyola (Masuku) Catholic parish shifted this observance to a later date due to some reasons.
