Monday, March 30, 2026

Holy Weeks

 

Inizio della Settimana Santa
Commencement de la Semaine Sainte
Comienzo de la Semana Santa

 

Holy Weeks

March 29, 2026

 

Holy Weeks

March 29, 2026

Having finally returned to Bangassou on March 20th, I immediately resumed the journey that will lead us to Easter in a few days, meeting and visiting with the various communities.

On Sunday, March 22nd, I was in the parish of Tokoyo, a neighborhood in Bangassou. Here, I celebrated Sunday Mass, during which about eighty people were involved in one of the many Catholic movements, the Fraternity of St. Joseph.

On Wednesday, I was in Ngamana, a village 8 km from Bangassou. Here, there is a small shrine dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Today is the Feast of the Annunciation, and I am celebrating here, also to inaugurate the small shrine, which began years ago and is now finally finished.

On Thursday, I met the children of the "Maman Tongolo" orphanage: a friend from Cuneo gave me some hats for them, and they were very proud to wear them!

Around 10:00 a.m., I was at the airport to say goodbye to Bishop Aguirre, who was on his way from Bangui to Obo, where he will remain for Easter.

On Saturday, I left for Gambo, 75 kilometers down the road from Bangui.

The rainy season has already started, and unfortunately, the roads are starting to get complicated. Before Gambo, there was a difficult area with a lot of mud.  We lost almost an hour because of the Blue Helmets and had to pull a truck stuck in the mud.

In Gambo, I celebrated Palm Sunday, which is also deeply felt here.

Around 8:30 a.m., we met on the road: many people, with beautiful woven palms. We read the Gospel of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, and then we set off for church.

So we begin this Holy Week. On Tuesday, I will celebrate the Chrism Mass, together with the priests of the diocese. On Thursday, we will commemorate the priesthood, the Eucharist, and Jesus washing the feet of the apostles.

On Friday, I will depart for the East. My first stop will be Rafai, the day of Jesus' death, and then on Saturday I will arrive in Zemio, where I will celebrate the Easter Vigil and stay for a few days to bring the Peace of the Risen Christ.

Happy Holy Week, and Happy Easter! 


 


Tokoyo


Ngamana







La strada verso Gambo e Bangui
La route pour Gambo et Bangui
El camino a Gambo y Bangui



Domenica delle Palme a Gambo
Dimanche des Rameaux à Gambo
Domingo de Ramos en Gambo






 


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