A diocese on the move

 

A diocese on the move

Every year the diocese of Bangassou gathers for a large pilgrimage to Nyakari, a parish 15 km from the city.

For 4 days we live together, pray, sing, work hard and rejoice.

This year there were more than 2,500 pilgrims, who came from Bangassou, the parishes and villages of Bema, Ouango, Gambo, Lanome, Rafai, Bakouma, Nzacko... The furthest walked for more than 115 km!

From Bangassou I left at 7:45am on foot together with the seminarians and the older children from the Maman Tongolo orphan center. We crossed the city, and at the exit we stopped and then continued in small groups, praying the rosary and singing.

Part of the path was in the forest, where we had some shade. We walked quickly, and once we reached the bac (the large barge used to cross the river) we moved to the other bank, and at 10:45am we arrived at the Sainte Croix Parish of Nyakari.

There are already some pilgrims here, and others will arrive today, and in the following days.

In the evening we met in the sanctuary (a large shed with a statue of the Madonna), and here we opened the pilgrimage with Eucharistic Adoration.

On Friday we started with the catechesis. This year we chose the theme of the next Jubilee, and the family.

The catecheses were followed by moments of meeting and sharing in groups (first the movements, then by age groups), and all were well attended. There was great attention and the joy of discovering the beauty of a faith that is embodied in the life of every family.

Confessions were on Saturday afternoon. We were about twenty priests, and for almost three hours many people came to receive God's forgiveness and His Mercy.

Sunday morning there was the great closing Mass. This year we had the joy of ordaining two new priests, Julien Mbayoro and Placide Matchicou. It was the first ordination I have done in the diocese, and it was a great emotion to consecrate "my" first two priests!

The Mass ended just before midday with the blessing of the pilgrims' "sticks".

After Mass, we left for home. There was much joy, and the desire to share the beautiful things we experienced during these days.

 

I due nuovi sacerdoti, Placide e Julien
Les deux nouveaux pretres, Placide et Julien

Il bac
Le bac