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Fransalian International

"Be what you are, Be at its best!"      - St. Francis de Sales

Editorial  Fr. General invites... A joyful commitment  SFS Fr. J. Charriere  Suvidya soars high Mkuza  Itaga  Missions for the youth We want to see the Lord Ongha in Namibia My ministry in America Three special ministries  Chile  Update & Renewal  SJTI Blessing and Inauguration  Bhusawal and Badnera In collaboration with the SW Province Poland Mission  Farewell, Fr. Antony Jubilarians  New Priests         Vol. 6  2004

Fransalian International

"We want to see the Lord." "We want to meet the Lord." "We want to taste and see how good is the Lord, our Saviour." Hosi, hi yentxele vurombe! (Lord, have mercy on us) A a khensive Nkulukumba! (Thanks be to God). These were the repeated chorus that were heard on the April, 3, 2004 - the previous day of the WORLD YOUTH DAY - throughout the district of Matutuine in Mozambique, for the first time from the various groups of catholic youth-pilgrims. They were walking in pilgrimage from the various 'comunidades' and 'nuclei' of Saint Francis de Sales' Parish, Bela Vista (the headquarters of the district). They came singing, reading, praying and dancing from all corners of the district.

All the groups converged at the junction, three kilometres away from the parish church. There they sat and listened to the Word of God again. And then all the groups together walked the Way of the Cross singing and praying. Matutuine was literally awakened. People came to the tracks, paths, roads. They watched the youth. And then they too joined the singing. The devotional hymns moved them to tears. They prayed with the kneeling youth on the road. They wished them God's blessings.

By the time they reached the church they sang louder. None could say that they were walking the whole day. They looked fresh in their new-found experience of joy and excitement. They were received at the gate affectionately and tenderly by the elders of die parish. Filling the front-yard of the church they sang and danced, clapped and hurrayed. Tears of joy. Then they heard their pastors' words of "HOYO-HOYO, Vamakwesu" (hearty welcome, brothers and sisters).

Then soon it was the soup-time. Washing-period followed. Ah, then it was relaxation and excited sharing with one another. Meanwhile the "Mamanas" (the grannies) who cooked for them announced: supper is ready. The boys and girls found their plates and glasses that they had brought with them and were ready in the queue. That day was a feasting day for diem. Peter, the main in-charge of the programme, was everywhere assisting the pilgrims: treating the blisters, giving tablets for headache and stomach-ache, balm for pains, bandaging the wounds. By this time it was already dark outside; but the youth were glowing with the fire inside. They entered the church and worshipped the Eucharistic Lord, and then the entire night-vigil programme - the first-ever in this part of the country.

Each group from each 'comunidade' was made to stand up and was welcomed affectionately and they received a touching-and-thundering clap from all. (Those who could not come felt sad when they were told about the entire happenings of the day and night). Soon it was film-time: JESUS (in Ronga language). Oh, they loved watching it. For the first time they listened (in their mother tongue) intensely. Later, the spontaneous prayers during the adoration-time (Holy Hour) proved how they were touched by the audio-visual effect of the life of Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

(Fr Sebastian Annaikandathil msfs)