Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abidjan (Agenzia Fides) - “It will be a Christmas of hope for peace ” Fr Dino Dussin, PIME missionary in Ivory Coast tells Fides.
Fr. Dino, who serves a few villages around Bouaké, in central-northern Ivory Coast, is preparing to celebrate the Christmas vigil. “At 8pm on the 24th I will preside the celebration of the Vigil in one village, celebrate midnight Mass in another and a 5am Mass in yet another village. Later in the morning of the 25 December I will celebrate Christmas Mass at the largest Catholic town in the area ”. A “marathon” necessary due to the dispersion of the faithful in the territory, but made easier by the presence of catechists who help the missionaries and the local clergy with the liturgies and the preparation of the communities.
The missionary describes the atmosphere just before Christmas: “The Catholic community is preparing for Christmas, materially - buying the chicken for the Christmas lunch or a new dress- but above all spiritual preparation. The catechists help me to prepare the liturgies and the comment on the Word of God for the Christmas Vigil, which will last all night. The reflections will be in the form of dialogue, questions and answers, to make the proclamation of the Gospel more lively and involve young people, so attention does not wane during the long night of waiting”.
Fr. Dino says that Christmas is an important event for non Catholics too. “The Christmas Vigil is attended not only by Catholics all the village people come to take part. It is an important opportunity for evangelisation and announcing the Word of God. The local catechists are aware of their responsibility and put a lot of care into preparing the Vigil”.
“The faithful are particularly sensitive to the fact that the Lord was born in a stable, seeing that the local communities meet in temporary chapels, huts with tin roofs, and they long to welcome Jesus to a real church. They are starting to collect the necessary funds”. Fr. Dino continued
Christmas in Ivory Coast is also a time to share with others, Fr Dino explains “for some time now our communities have collected money for mothers in need. The offerings are placed in a basket in front of the little statues of baby Jesus". Seeing the faith of the ordinary people and the latest political events I hope Jesus will at last bring peace to the people of Ivory Coast” the missionary concluded. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/12/2007 righe 30 parole 436)
