Posts by Diocese of Manzini

Ordinary time “B”: Second Sunday

By Fr. Wandile Dlamini OSM

Theme: We are invited to change from our comfortable patterns of life, thinking or religious practices which we have set for ourselves, so that our work for a better world may succeed.

FIRST READING: 1 Sam 3:3-10, 19

In the book of Samuel Hannah, the devout but barren spouse of Elkanah, prayed to God for a son in the temple at Shiloh. She made a promise that if she has a son she will offer him to the Lord. Her prayers were answered and surely Hannah gave her son Samuel up into Eli’s care in the temple. Continue reading “Ordinary time “B”: Second Sunday” →

January 2018: Religious Minorities in Asia

laydominicanytp.org

by Fr Chris Chatteris SJ

Pope’s Prayer intention:

“Religious Minorities in Asia. That Christians, and other religious minorities in Asian countries, may be able to practise their faith in full freedom.”

There are clearly some problem countries that Pope Francis has in mind. The forced expulsion of the Muslim Rohingya minority from Myanmar would be one. His diplomatically difficult visit to both Myanmar and Bangladesh last year, was a courageous gesture of solidarity with a minority which seemed to have been left defenceless. Continue reading “January 2018: Religious Minorities in Asia” →

When you give a lunch do not invite… (Lk 14:12)

By Diocese of Manzini

Our Christmas’ time seems always marked by sharing. It is normally not seen. Not many know it. One discovers it sometimes in social media groups.

It is a particular way of sharing.

I remember being in a parish where people would exchange gifts during the Christmas’ feast.

This is not the case. Our sodalities seems to remember the passage where Jesus says: ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relations or rich neighbours, in case they invite you back and so repay you.  No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you and so you will be repaid when the upright rise again.’ (Lk 14: 12 – 14) Continue reading “When you give a lunch do not invite… (Lk 14:12)” →

In the ‘Pearl of Africa’ and among the ‘Little Flock’

catholicherald

by Dabulamanzi Ntshangase

Pope Francis has visited the African continent on two occasions: first, towards the end of 2015 and the Year of Mercy, second, on first half of the current year (2017). On his first visit, he went to Kenya, Central Africa Republic and Uganda respectively. On his second visit, he went to Egypt. In each of these countries, the Holy Father has addressed the priests, the religious and the seminarians. The following few words are, therefore, a personal reflection on two of these addresses from the Holy Father, that is, to the priests, religious and seminarians in Uganda as well as those in Egypt. It is important to note that the pope does not only speak to the priests, religious and seminarians of Uganda and Egypt but to all of us who are playing for the same team. Continue reading “In the ‘Pearl of Africa’ and among the ‘Little Flock’” →

Epiphany of the Lord

By Fr Wandile M. Dlamini OSM

*Those of us who bear their difficulties with joy in their journey to encounter
Christ led by the star of faith, will surely see his and will be healed from pains.

First Reading ; Isaiah 60; 1-6

The church uses this passage of scripture for the first reading of the Mass of the Feast of Epiphany, for she sees in it some symbols of her universality.The church is perceived as the light which shines and opposes the presence of darkness in the world. It is in the church that the glory of the Lord should shine.The presence of the Lord as the light of the world unifies all nations. Into this light all the sons and daughters of Sion are attracted from far away and are being tenderly carried [ verse 4] which is their return from exile. The church is called to Arise and Shine. Continue reading “Epiphany of the Lord” →

WFS (Word Faith Social)

By Bp José Luis IMC

Some of you might remember that arriving in the diocese in 2014 as resident bishop I shared a story about “bats”. I said that Catholics should be recognised by three things:

  • Bible – Word of God
  • Cathechism of the Catholic Church – Our Faith
  • Social teachings of the Church

From that time I kept on wondering how to make this possible in our diocese. I wondered how to help the people of our diocese to know or deepen in these three areas. I finally came with a plan: a three year course on these three topics. Continue reading “WFS (Word Faith Social)” →

Making a difference in 2018

By Bp José Luis IMC

A new year! We are grateful to God for this sign of his blessing, care and love for each one of us.

We bring into this new year all our hopes and dreams of a better future for each one of us, for our families, for our nation and for the world.

We bring into this new year all our hopes and dreams for peace! Peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in our country, peace in the world! Continue reading “Making a difference in 2018” →

Missionaries killed in 2017

By Agenzia Fides

In the year 2017, 23 Catholic pastoral care workers were killed worldwide: 13 priests, 1 religious brother, 1 religious sister, 8 lay persons.

For the eighth consecutive year, the place most affected, with an extremely elevated number of pastoral care workers killed is AMERICA, where 11 pastoral care workers were killed (8 priests, 1 religious brother, 2 lay people); in Africa 10 pastoral care workers were killed (4 priests, 1 religious sister, 5 lay people); in Asia 2 pastoral care workers were killed (1 priest, 1 lay person).

According to information gathered by Agenzia Fides, from 2000 to 2016, 424 pastoral care workers were killed worldwide, including 5 Bishops. Continue reading “Missionaries killed in 2017” →