MALAWI: Most Rev. Tarcizius Ziyaye urges the Catholic Youths to be role models
Malawian youths have been challenged to be the light and salt to the world by being role models to others hence demonstrate good manners by abiding by the catholic social teaching of the Catholic Church and values of Christianity.
Lilongwe Archbishop Most Rev. Tarcizius Ziyaye said this on Saturday last week at Salima technical college during a Eucharistic celebration to mark the official opening of a three-day youth rally for Catholic youths drawn from all the parishes in the Archdiocese.
Quoting from the Holy Gospel, Archbishop Ziyaye said youths should not be like the foolish virgins who did not prepare for the coming of the bride urging them that, they should rather live exemplary life by being true followers of Jesus Christ in their daily undertakings and as such they will be able to overcome challenges they face in the modern world.
“I encourage you brothers and sisters to use your Christian Conscience properly to avoid the evil doings of this modern world. Your behavior should inspire those who are not Christians. Its only when you are good Christians that you will be able to make wise decisions and follow various vocations in the church and be the salt and light that you are supposed to be to the world,” he said.
During the rally, youth coordinator for Lilongwe Archdiocese Rev. Fr. Michael Chimvalenji stressed the need to value Catechism for the Catholic Church by among others holding the Eucharist with high esteem since it is the real body and blood of Jesus Christ.
“The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, as such you and all other Christians are invited to observe Eucharist fasting, penance and reconciliation and be sensitive whether to receive through the mouth or hands according to how clean you are spiritually and physically.
Fr. Chimvalenji said the Catholic Church values sacramentalias like the blessed rosary, statues, medals, the cross, blessed water and the Bible.
“Respect these things and do not take them for granted, use them as your spiritual tools. When used for their intended purposes, they will keep you away from Satan and other evil powers and bring you closer to God since they are a sign of our faith and trust in God,” said Fr. Chimvalenji.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Youth Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Kervin Khodola urged the youths to accept God’s calling wholeheartedly and have trust in God in their various vocations. “Jeremiah was called while he was still ayouth. Initially, he was afraid but God assured him of his presence. He faced resistance from the people he was spreading the gospel to and he felt he had been fooled by God but still he worked for the kingdom of God. Always remember that God is still doing great things in your lives,” Said Fr. Khodola.
The three days’ youth rally organized by the Archdiocese of Lilongwe brought together youths from constituting parishes of the archdiocese that interacted through various group discussions, entertainment including sports Bonanza in which the winners went away with new sports uniforms.
The rally was heard under the theme “The Mighty one has done great things for me, and Holy is his name”.
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By Stella Zulu
