Between August 7 and 9, the Redemptorists at the Muvamba mission in Mozambique experienced two moments of great joy. On August 7, they celebrated the perpetual profession of Brother Jaime. He is the second Mozambican to profess perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in Mozambique.
August 9th, the second day of rejoicing. The priestly ordination of Deacon Benedito and the diaconal ordination of Brother Jaime took place. The celebration was presided over by Bishop Ernesto of the Diocese of Inhambane and concelebrated by the Redemptorists working in Mozambique and other religious and diocesan priests, as well as by nuns who participated in the celebration.
Also present were the provincial superiors of the Redemptorist Province of Pedro Donders and the Dublin Province, Fr. Javier Machado C.Ss.R. and Fr. Brendan O’Rourke C.Ss.R. respectively. Fr. Brendan concelebrated on both occasions, while Fr. Javier was present only on the day of his perpetual profession.
In his homily, the bishop emphasized the importance of peace; in the local language, Xitshwa, the very word for peace has two meanings: “peace” and “to remove burdens.” He reminded the young missionaries that part of the ordained ministry is to help Christians bear fewer burdens, to carry less weight, especially with a view to presenting the lives of the People to God.
The celebration was attended by many faithful from the parish of Muvamba and from other areas, such as the province of Xai-Xai and Maputo. We give thanks to God for the vocations of Father Benedito and Deacon Jaime.
Fr. Antonio Vinícius Alves Faustino, C.Ss.R.
