By communications office
There were some remarks of happiness flooding from the mouths of many priests yesterday on 05th April 2023 at the Cathedral parish of the diocese of Mangochi, where they went to attend a Chrism Mass, led by Bishop Montfort Stima of the diocese of Mangochi. Many of the priests serving in the same diocese and in other arch/dioceses came to attend this celebration. During the same Mass, these priests renewed their priestly vows in the presence of the bishop and the lay faithful. Many of the religious brothers and sisters, catechists and the laity came to witness this event.
Speaking to the congregants, Bishop Stima said that priests are anointed by the Holy Spirit to preach the message of hope to the afflicted. The Holy Oils blessed are meant to bring new life to people, not to kill them. He said this in trying to correct the misconception of other Christians who hesitate to call a priest for a sacrament of Anointing of the sick, with the fear that he will finish him or her up. The bishop said that in this year, most of the Christians and other people are affected negatively by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy which has killed many people and washed away many crops. In this moment, priests have to console them with the example taught by Jesus, the High Priests. He also advised the priests that as they preach for the salvation of souls, they should also attend to themselves and their teaching (1 Tim. 4:16).
In his remarks, the Laity chairperson- Mr. Bwanali- thanked priests for coming in large numbers on their day. He also thanked them for being dedicated to priestly obligations in the parishes and institutions. He however advised them to be courageous in hard moments and asked them to be priests for life.
In the Catholic church, The Holy Week which chops in the Lenten season is when the Holy Oils for the Catechumens, Anointing of the Sick and Chrism are blessed on Mounday Thursday. It is also when priests renew their priestly vows made on their ordination. However, due to pastoral reasons, every bishop (who principally holds the sanctifying function in the diocese and who is also the director of the entire liturgical life of the particular church- Can. 835§1) can hold this celebration any day of the Holy Week which starts with Passion Sunday. In the diocese of Mangochi, these Holy Oils are blessed on Holy Wednesday.
