Champagnat Day in Mozambique

Champagnat Day was celebrated today here at the noviciate at Matola and our novices were given the chance to animate the whole show.

As usual the day started with the Holy Mass which was concelebrated by two priests friendly to us.

Brother Medida welcomed all the participants and gave a brief introduction about Champagnat and us as Marist. The homily was given by Brother Joao from Maputo community. It reflected what Champagnat had in mind to found our congregation which today carries the Founders wishes in 76 countries.

Soon after communion we all ending up dancing a Bemba thanksgiving hymn amidst ululations and drummings.

The next activity was entertainment and Brother Padington Chakava animated this section with a lot of creativity. The young ones who this time round dominated the audience entertained us all with poems, hymns, dancing and drama. We could smell the presence of Champagnat in all their presentations. The noviciate prepared a variety of prize gifts which were given to all the youth who participated in the quiz questions, dances, poems, out-door games.

Then followed by the main meal which ended with a cake cutting byBrother Norbert, Mansoa, Joao, a couple and two young ones representing the youth.

The day was filled up with all sorts of activities which kept the youth busy.

Brother Norbert thanked all the different committees whom he declared had put a lot of effort in their work and had made the day a success. We could tell that our novices have potentials to be youth ministers. Bravo our novices and thanks to Master for giving them an opportunity to lead the whole show. May Champagnat continue to touch the hearts of many people especially the youth as we have witnessed today.

Simeon Banda, fms