AFRICA/MALAWI - Mangichi Diocesan Youth Day at the first Catholic Mission: “Our young Christians of today have rediscovered their roots” said a local Italian missionary

Thursday, 29 November 2007

Lilongwe (Agenzia Fides)- “Persistent heat of 40 degrees for the past few weeks, did not dissuade young people in the diocese of Mangochi from taking part in the Diocesan Day for Youth. Our youngsters take part in many church initiatives. but the feast of Christ the King “Yesu Mfumu” - is always a special time” said Italian Monfort missionary Fr. Piergiorgio Gamba, who has served in Malawi for many years. “They set out from the nearest missions, Balaka especially, when it was still dark. They came from many villages, some hundreds of kilometres away, to represent young people and put their Day at the centre of celebrations for the centenary year of the first missionary presence in Mangochi”.
“Saint Peter in Utale, the first Catholic mission in what is today the diocese of Mangochi, was opened in 1908. The old church shows it age. Sapling trees grow on the roof of its central tower. This is the home of the mission, the first building constructed at Utale in 1908, and although it has been modernised in parts, it has kept its original structure” says Fr.Gamba. “Our young people gathered in Utale to rediscover their roots: in Africa where there are no identity papers, no registrar offices, no evident signs which are not soon hidden by the forest, it is important to know who you are and where you come from”
The average age in Malawi has dropped to 37 years. “Malawi is a young nation in search of a past which will comfort its efforts to build tomorrow. Our young Christians of today have rediscovered their roots” the missionary concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 29/11/2007 righe 23 parole 265)


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