A rich and fruitful time of prayer and celebration in Mozambique

It has been a wonderfully full year so far on our MSC mission project in Mozambique, with their Facebook page sharing regular photos and stories to keep us updated on all the latest news.

March brought the opening of the Fr Jules Chevalier Training Centre, which, says the Facebook page for MSC Mozambique, “will host the first young Mozambicans who sought the charisma and mission of the Chevalier Family”. May God bless those who study and pray here, and lead them in their vocations.

The Fr Jules Chevalier Training Centre opened in Mozambique in March 2024. (Images: @peduardopaixaomsc on Facebook.)

In April, Fr José Eduardo Paixão MSC opened and blessed a new church in the community of Santo Augustine de Manono, in the parish of St Antonio de Metuge. It was a very special occasion indeed as the community celebrated their new place of worship, while Fr José also led Sunday school for parishioners, reflecting on the fact that parents are leaders in faith for their children, guiding them on their spiritual journey.

In April, Fr José Eduardo Paixão MSC opened and blessed a new church in the community of Santo Augustine de Manono, in the parish of St Antonio de Metuge, Mozambique. (Images: @peduardopaixaomsc on Facebook.)

July saw a magnificent celebration of St Isabel, patroness known as an “angel of goodness and peace”. MSCs Fr José Eduardo Paixão and Fr Roney Lima were joined by Fr Armindo Baltazar for the occasion, who led the community in prayer, reflection, and thanksgiving on this great day.

MSCs Fr José Eduardo Paixão and Fr Roney Lima were joined by Fr Armindo Baltazar for the celebration of St Isabel. (Images: @peduardopaixaomsc on Facebook.)

In August, Fr Roney Lima MSC was joined by Fr Edigar, Missionary of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Salette, to celebrate the Holy Mass at the parish of Our Lady of Carmo de Mieze in the Diocese of Pemba. The Mass was followed by a truly inspiring workshop dedicated to local youths, where prayer and reflection combined with dance, music, poetry, and fun! Three local parishes took part: the parish of Our Lady of Carmo de Mieze, St Charles Lwanga Parish of Mahate, and the parish of St Antonio de Metuge. “Every young person present left with joy and full of learning,” posted the Facebook page for MSC Mozambique.

Fr Roney Lima MSC was joined by Fr Edigar, Missionary of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Salette, for a youth workshop in August. (Images: @peduardopaixaomsc on Facebook.)

Finally, September has brought another celebration in faith as Fr José Eduardo and Fr Rony joined the community of St Augustine, in the parish of St Antonio de Metuge, to mark the day of their patron saint.

Fr José Eduardo and Fr Rony joined the community of St Augustine, in the parish of St Antonio de Metuge, to mark the day of their patron saint in early September.. (Images: @peduardopaixaomsc on Facebook.)

Our MSC mission in Mozambique marked its sixth anniversary in March of this year, having originally been established in 2018 in the Diocese of Pemba, a very poor part of Mozambique. The need here continues to be great, and the mission is continuously adapting to serve the many and changing needs of the vulnerable and displaced, from emergency response to natural disasters, to the brutal impact of violence and political unrest. In a volatile climate, our MSC community is always working to adapt and respond to the demands of the social climate and the prevailing needs of the local communities and parishioners.

The Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart has an enduring relationship with our Mozambique mission, with the friendship and support of our mission friends and benefactors here at home touching the lives of thousands in the district of Pemba. Thanks to the friendship and compassion of our extended mission family here at home, we have been able to bring about positive change to disadvantaged communities made up of thousands of people across the diocese. Civil war in the region has brought about huge hardship, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes and their lives since 2017, and many others killed or reported missing. In recent years, we have been working alongside Fr José to raise funds to support those in real and urgent need, helping to provide essential aid and brighter prospects in a region where hope is in short supply.

In spite of ongoing troubles, and with the mission facing constant challenges, the inestimable spirit of hope, perseverance, and unity prevails at the heart of our Mozambique mission. The enduring power of faith and community shines through in these marvellous pictures, and we ask that you please join us in keeping our friends and brothers in Mozambique in your prayers as we continue to work together to provide hope, brighter prospects, and a better quality of life for those in real need.

Images via the Facebook page for MSC Mozambique, with credit to Abudo Manara.
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