ZAMBIA: Pope Francis Sends Greetings to Zambian Pilgrims
The
Holy Father, Pope Francis has sent his apostolic blessings to the people of
Zambia and Christians who gathered on Saturday 17 August, 2013 for the Lusaka
Archdiocesan Marian Shrine annual pilgrimage.
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| Lusaka Archdiocese Marian Shrine |
The
greetings were conveyed through Archbishop Telesphore Mpundu of the Archdiocese
of Lusaka who was in Rome recently. Addressing the pilgrims gathered at the
shrine Archbishop Mpundu said Pope Francis was blessing all those present at the shrine and He also sends his
Apostolic Greetings.
In
his homily Archbishop Mpundu explained the significance of Mary in the life of
a Christian. “Those of us who honour Mary are privileged as she was chosen by
God to be the mother of our Lord. Mary is the true image of our Lord. You
cannot despise what God himself chose through Archangel Gabriel, as irrelevant,”
he said.
his homily Archbishop Mpundu explained the significance of Mary in the life of
a Christian. “Those of us who honour Mary are privileged as she was chosen by
God to be the mother of our Lord. Mary is the true image of our Lord. You
cannot despise what God himself chose through Archangel Gabriel, as irrelevant,”
he said.
He
wished that more and more people would visit this Marian shrine for prayers
instead of looking for miracles in the mountains and in far distant and
questionable places. “At this holy place, the Blessed Virgin Mary is saying, do
whatever Christ tells you. Do not look for miracles elsewhere. Miracles happen
here and Christ is here where Mary is at her home. Right here Mary will show us
how to reach to Christ’s heart for our needs with ease,” he said.
wished that more and more people would visit this Marian shrine for prayers
instead of looking for miracles in the mountains and in far distant and
questionable places. “At this holy place, the Blessed Virgin Mary is saying, do
whatever Christ tells you. Do not look for miracles elsewhere. Miracles happen
here and Christ is here where Mary is at her home. Right here Mary will show us
how to reach to Christ’s heart for our needs with ease,” he said.
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| Altar of Lusaka Archdiocese Marian Shrine |
Meanwhile,
Archbishop Mpundu has urged Zambians to stop ritual killings and Gender Based
Violence.
The
history of Marian Shrine in Lusaka dates back to 1970s when Archbishop Adam
Kozloweieki, s.j. brought a statue of Our Lady of Fatima back to Lusaka from
Fatima. At the Archbishop’s request, a committee was formed to see that the
statue visited each of the parishes in Lusaka.
history of Marian Shrine in Lusaka dates back to 1970s when Archbishop Adam
Kozloweieki, s.j. brought a statue of Our Lady of Fatima back to Lusaka from
Fatima. At the Archbishop’s request, a committee was formed to see that the
statue visited each of the parishes in Lusaka.
The
Archbishop later on commissioned the committee to find a suitable place where
the statue could be placed in the Archdiocese as a place for pilgrimage and
prayer. Fr. Lawrence Tomasin, S.J. who was an excellent builder, was asked to
build a small shrine – a miniature of St. Peter’s in Rome for the statue of Our
Lady.
Archbishop later on commissioned the committee to find a suitable place where
the statue could be placed in the Archdiocese as a place for pilgrimage and
prayer. Fr. Lawrence Tomasin, S.J. who was an excellent builder, was asked to
build a small shrine – a miniature of St. Peter’s in Rome for the statue of Our
Lady.
From
that time onward, the Marian Committee continued to meet and conduct monthly
pilgrimages to the grotto from parishes. In the 1990s the area of the grotto
was expanded and sheltered by a steel pavilion to shield pilgrims from rain and
sun.
that time onward, the Marian Committee continued to meet and conduct monthly
pilgrimages to the grotto from parishes. In the 1990s the area of the grotto
was expanded and sheltered by a steel pavilion to shield pilgrims from rain and
sun.
SOURCE:
ZEC Communications Office
ZEC Communications Office
