For faith-filled young people

Posted on by Bishop Jose Luis

This month of May, the Pope begins a cycle of three prayer intentions dedicated to the family.

He has decided to begin by speaking first to young people, who “want to build something new.”

He offers them an example to follow: “When I think of a model with whom young people can identify with, our Mother, Mary, always comes to mind.”

Francis asks young people to take risks like she did, keeping in mind that they “need to discern and discover what Jesus wants” from them. In this discernment, Francis says, “it’s a great help to listen to the words of grandparents.” And he proposes three companions for their life journey: courage, knowing how to listen, and dedication to service. Continue reading “For faith-filled young people” →

Journeying together

Posted on by Bishop Jose Luis

By Ayanda Nkhambule

As a member of the task team, entrusted by our Bishop to facilitate a smooth process of discernment for the people of God within the Diocese of Manzini, let me share the experience.

It all started when the Holy Father, Pope Francis called for a Bishops’ Synod on Synodality in 2023. The process that prepares for it began last year (2021) but in October, our Bishop, Jose Luis Ponce de Leon, launched it at the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in Manzini.

A synod in simple terms is a gathering of several people from different walks of life. These people come together to deliberate on a specific topic or problem. Usually, the Pope targets a specific group of people to discuss these topics; for example, in 2018, the Pope called for a synod on the Youth. That means, the topic of discussion was young people in the church and the target group was youth, so they were the ones who participated in discussion in local parishes. Continue reading “Journeying together” →

Ngikhona!

Posted on by Bishop Jose Luis

by Fr Ncamiso Vilakati

As the deacon of the day, literally roared his name; Rev Deacon Fezile Khonzumenzi Dlamini, one could hear in the affirmative his loud voice saying Ngikhona!. Many were amazed at his courageous affirmative voice and his choice to walk alone down the aisle towards the sanctuary. It was only later when it dawned to many the sole reason, he said he was present, and the core of his duty, when the bishop after anointing him with Sacred Chrism that he should “Yemukela umnikelo webantfu labangcwele, lonikelwa kuNkulunkulu. Condzisisa lokwentako, ulingise lemfihlakalo loyigubhako: imphilo yakho ayilandzele imfihlakalo yesiphambano seNkhosi.” Indeed, this was the gist of him, presenting himself for the work of the priesthood. Continue reading “Ngikhona!” →

We do not “go to Church”

Posted on by Bishop Jose Luis

by Bp José Luis IMC

At the beginning of this year our diocese launched the very first “online survey” offering everyone in the diocese the opportunity to share – as baptised and sent – about our journey together.

The word to keep in mind is: “everyone”.

Thinking of the spaces our diocese offers to share on our Christian journey, we realised that only those who are members of a parish council, or a specific sodality are able to do so. The rest, which might be the majority of our Christian community, has not been given that space. In fact, when asked in the survey “which spaces does your Church offer you to share your views, concerns, ideas”, many answered “none”. That is why we launched an “online survey” and that is why we will be placing “suggestion boxes” in every parish for those who would prefer to do it in a different way. Continue reading “We do not “go to Church”” →