MALAWI: Bishop Sitima calls for humility among Legion of Mary members
Rt. Rev. Montfort Sitima During the Eucharistic Celebrations at the Annual Meeting of the Legion of Mary
By Sidonia Dzikolidaya, Mangochi Diocese, Malawi
Rt. Rev Montfort Stima, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mangochi has urged lay Catholics of the Legion of Mary to pray for the gift of humility and fortitude to fight the element of pride that is causing division in many groups within the Catholic Church.
Mary Annual General Conference in Mangochi
Bishop Sitima said this during his homily when he presided over an open Mass for the Legion of Mary Annual General Conference at St Paul’s Minor Seminary in Mangochi.
He said that there is division in families as well as at community level where people are running away from villages because of ill-treatment from village headmen. As a result, Christians are failing to receive the sacraments because of misunderstandings and the youth have lost focus because of lack of care in families.
“As Legion of Mary members, we have the duty to show the invisible face of God through the works of mercy and prayer, God gives freely his gifts, as Christians we are obliged to show compassionate to those suffering due to trials, by fighting the devil through good works,” Bishop Sitima said.
He urged the Legion of Mary members to show transparency and accountability in their works because deceit has brought division in church. “Salvation does not come forth because of joining different groups but God looks upon faithful hearts of those in different groups of the church,” he said.
Commenting on the Gospel of Mathew 20: 1-6, Bishop Sitima explained that as Christians we usually compare our gift to those of others, entrusting that God gives freely his gifts to those he has selected, and as Christians it is not right to despise fellow Christians upon their behavior. He added that apostolate is about sacrifice and following the footsteps of Christ.
“As members who strive for holiness let us not focus on sins of other people. “How can you say to your brother, let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye. Jesus Christ is speaking to us today to avoid judging others and that the kingdom of God is for all,” Bishop Sitima explained.
He added that Legion of Mary is in every Diocese in Malawi which shows that its members have the duty to serve the whole nation as solders of Christ.
Celebrations at the Annual Meeting of the Legion of Mary
Meanwhile he advised members to be cautious of the effects of the new media and technology which can be a source of destruction of life especially of the young people and families.
“Nowadays, a wife is not allowed to touch her husband’s phone, neither the children, if a man forgets his phone at home immediately he turns back home to pick his phone for privacy sake, as Legion of Mary we need to look into all these things,” he said.
“It is our duty as soldiers to help to bring unity in families, visit the sick and counsel the doubtful,” he said.
Speaking at the same function National Laity Council Chaplain Rev. Fr. Vincent Mwakhwawa expressed gratitude for the good work the Legion of Mary members are doing as apostles to fight the works of Satan.
“Legion of Mary members should portray a good image of Christ, it is possible to live a holy life and also help others to be holy, challenges are meant to be there but we have to be strong and always pray to ask for the intercession of Mary our Mother,” said Fr Mwakhwawa.
He said that the Episcopal Conference of Mary recognizes Legion of Mary as a group of people who are helping the Catholic Church to bring the good news across Malawi, helping the needy, visiting the sick, and praying for the church.
Annual general conference of Legion of Mary brings together the Legion of Mary from all dioceses in the country to discuss matters involving the movement.
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