Travels

Travels

Sunday, November 22 is the feast of Christ the King, which ends the liturgical year. It is a festival that brings up Jesus; the Lord of Life and History. As tradition, on this occasion we celebrate Mass on Mount Binon, a hill above Bozoum. We climb up to the top in a large number. The top of the hill is dominated by a statue of Christ extending his arms as to embrace the city.

In the afternoon I leave for Bouar, where I meet our communities and take part in some encounters for the different activities of Caritas and Justice and Peace. Monday nights I'm in Baoro from where I will leave tomorrow at 4:30am.  It's the first time I travel on this road, blocked since September by gunmen and antibalaka. The trip is pretty quiet, although I meet an armed group of about fifty people who are looting a truck and another couple of barriers. But I continue driving straight ahead, with no major problems. In Bangui are soon visible posters and written sentences on the walls welcoming the Pope's visit. He will arrive here on Sunday 29. The situation is still very tense, with fighting in some neighborhoods and some demonstrations.

On Tuesday evening I welcome Paul, Alessio and Marina. All of them came to Bozoum from Italy to help out. Alessio will start the extension works of the Church of Bozoum. On Wednesday departure at 5.30am, and at 12:30pm we are at home, welcomed by Fr.Enrico and Fr.Norberto. In the afternoon we hold a meeting in preparation for the Pope's visit: the parish of Bozoum will be present with fifty people leaving on Saturday morning in order to be part of this historic event.