Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kinshasa (Agenzia Fides) – An intense schedule of celebrations, gatherings, and activities are underway for the Year of St. Paul 2008-2009 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On Sunday, June 29, the Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giovanni Aniello presided a Mass for the inauguration of the Year of St. Paul at the Notre Dame du Congo Cathedral in Kinshasa. The Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference, Msgr. Leonard Santedi, said that the Bishops expect to see the Christians of Congo faithful to St. Paul’s words, “my life is Christ.” The Secretary-Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Kinshasa, Fr. Dieudonné Frédéric Bobo, presented the schedule of events for the Year of St. Paul.
Among the events planned are: the inauguration of the Médiaspaul Center in Lubumbashi (June 30) and the inauguration of the Médiaspaul Bookstore in Kintambo-Kinshasa (August 20). In September, monthly courses on Saint Paul and his Letters will begin. On September 13, in the first conference, the theme will be “Who is Paul of Tarsus?.” The same theme will also be placed on the television each month through “Livre ouvert” (Tropicana TV). On October 26, a poetry and music contest on St. Paul’s Hymn to Charity (“Love is patient...”). On January 24, 2009, the Parish of Saint Paul in Barumbo will host a Cinema Forum and the next day there will be perpetual vows of members of the Society of Saint Paul.
On May 31, there will be a round-table discussion on “Paul, model of communicators,” and on June 26, “Letters of Saint Paul,” the second volume of “The Bible for Africa” in simplified French will be presented. On June 27, there will be an awards ceremony for the winners of the poetry and music contest at the Academy of Fine Arts, and on June 29, 2009, there will be a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Laurent Monsngwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, with the priestly ordination of deacons from the Society of Saint Paul. The annual retreat of July 2009 will also be dedicated to Saint Paul. Various items have been published for the Year of St. Paul, including a prayer book for Eucharistic Adoration, with quotes from St. Paul’s Letters, posters, CDs of religious music inspired by St. Paul’s Letters, a calendar and agenda for 2009 with illustrations and thoughts of St. Paul, as well as cards and stickers with verses taken from St. Paul’s Letters. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 8/7/2008)
