Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lusaka (Agenzia Fides) – On September 12, 2009, the Archdiocese of Lusaka celebrated the 10th anniversary of Holy Childhood in the Archdiocese which is itself celebrating its Golden Jubilee (50 years) of life dedicated to the transmission of the faith. “We celebrated with joy, gratitude, and hope the gift that we have received and that we continue to share: the gift of our faith,” Fr. Bernard Makadani Zulu, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Zambia, told Agenzia Fides.
“Thousands of children participated in the event. The children filled the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, which seats 6,000,” said Fr. Bernard. “The anniversary was an opportunity for the children to renew their commitment. They are, in fact, the Church's treasure. They love the Church, they accompany her with joy, opening the path of joyful generosity, placing their trust in her and help open new paths of evangelization to reach out to those who have not heard the Good News.”
The Diocese of Monze also celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Holy Childhood Association, August 24-28. The theme chosen for the reflection was “Being a Neighbor.” “In Monze, there was also a large participation,” the National Director of the PMS in Zambia told Fides. “It was so delightful to see the children wearing their outfits, representative of the colors of the Missionary Rosary in representation of the different continents...white for Europe, red for America, green for Africa, blue for Oceania, and yellow for Asia. The Missionary Rosary is a very important instrument for creating missionary awareness. Through the Rosary, the children unite themselves to the children of God throughout the world, millions of people who every day suffer from poverty, pain, injustice, and the countless number of people the Church reaches out to through her missionaries.”
“Along with Mary, they pray that the Good News of Jesus can be proclaimed and lived always and everywhere. As they pray a mystery of the Rosary for a particular continent, the children embrace the people [of that continent] with faith and solidarity. The Missionary Rosary reminds children that they are not along on the path.
The PMS National Director in Zambia recalled the spirit that characterizes the members of the Holy Childhood Association. “We all work together to help the children keep the Gospel alive and spread it. The children need to be missionaries at home, among their friends, at school, always being ready and open to the horizons of the entire world.”
The pastoral care of the children is carried out in two ways, Fr. Bernard says. “First, there is the missionary education and second, there is the promotion of the missionary cooperation with the children throughout the world. Through these services the children become participants in missionary work, receiving missionary education and taking on a missionary spirit.”
“I am very happy to be a part of the Holy Childhood Association, happy to be a missionary with them! Happy because the future is promising, in their hands! In another 50 years, we will certainly have a new Church, even more missionary and even more rooted in the lives of these children. The faith of the children enriches the family of God, with their joy and creativity. The Church embraces them with gratitude. May God bless all the missionary children, their animators, and all those who support them and pray for them,” concluded Fr. Bernard. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 17/9/2009)
