Once again the Friars in the Province of the Franciscan Protomartyrs in Zambia and Malawi together with the faithful from various Parishes served by the Friars walked a 2.5 km journey of faith to the Marian Shrine, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Mission in Ibenga. The pilgrimage took place on Saturday, September 01, 2018.
This pilgrimage occurs every year, and is a day dedicated to the promotion of vocations. During the pilgrimage we always remember two young simply professed friar students Augustine Mabila MUTALE and Stanley MUKUKA who died on August 11, 2010 in a car accident.
The theme for this year’s pilgrimage was, “The Kingdom of God is Close at Hand (Mk. 1:15)”. During the Eucharistic celebration the Minister Provincial Friar Richard Francis CHIMFWEMBE gave a homily based on the liturgical readings of the day. He urged and encouraged the pilgrims to let the Kingdom of God be manifested in every aspect of their lives and to allow God’s power to rein in them. Above all, he urged them to take the Kingdom of God to their families, society and the whole country. Referring to the Parable of Talents found in the Gospel of the day, the Minister Provincial reminded the pilgrims that everyone has been entrusted with different gifts given by God, and that these gifts ought to be used for the glory of His name in serving others. He also urged the pilgrims to put their various gifts to good use for the benefit of the Church, families and society. In conclusion, he called upon everyone to pray always for those called to the life-long commitment to marriage and those called to consecrated life.
Friar Mathews KASONGO, OFM Conv, Provincial Secretary