THE 2017 CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FEAST OF BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA TAKES PLACE IN THE PARISH OF THOHOYANDOU, DIOCESE OF TZANEEN,
LIMPOPO PROVINCE,SOUTH AFRICA
ON TUESDAY 31 JANUARY and on WEDNESDAY 1 FEBRUARY 2017
THEME: As Friends of Blessed Benedict Daswa ,together, let us become Women and Men of Loving Kindness and Mercy.
EVE OF THE FEAST on TUESDAY 31 JANUARY 2017,
there will be worship in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption,at Nweli Village, from 15H00 to 18H00,where the tomb of Blessed Benedict Daswa is located.This day also marks the final day of the 9 days of prayer (Blessed Benedict Daswa Novena) which begins on Monday 23 January. The novena is directly related to the feast day because after 9 days of prayerfully imploring the intercession of Blessed Benedict for special needs,we celebrate the graces and favours received and anticipated from God through his intercession on the day of his feast.
Blessed Benedict Daswa Website
The programme of worship for Tuesday 31 January will be as follows:
1.At 15H00 all assemble outside the church at Nweli and receive a message from Blessed Benedict Daswa.
2.All enter the church for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration;
3.Priests are also available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during this time.
4.Quiet time next to the tomb of Blessed Benedict Daswa in the presence of his mortal remains.
5.Exposition closes with the Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Anyone wishing to remain in Nweli Church for quiet prayer after 6.00pm will be free to do so
THE FEAST DAY of BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA takes place
ON WEDNESDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2017 AT THE SITE OF THE BEATIFICATION IN TSHITANINI VILLAGE
On the actual day of the Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa, 01 February, celebrations will be held at Tshitanini Village, where the Beatification took place on 13 September 2015, and where the future Shrine and Pilgrimage Centre will be situated.The programme of worship will be as follows:
7.00am to 9.00am* Veneration of the Relics of Bl Benedict Daswa
9.00am to 11.00am Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa
11.00am to 12 noon Veneration of the Relics of Bl Benedict Daswa
*During the Veneration of Relics priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
AN EXPLANATION of worship on the eve of the feast day.
From 3.00pm to 6.00pm on Tuesday 31 January, people are invited to spend a period of silent adoration, prayer and reflection in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Nweli. This period of immediate preparation for the Feast on 1 February will be a time of grace, reconciliation and healing close to the place where the mortal remains of Blessed BenedictDaswa rest.
Before entering the Church, all will receive from Blessed Benedict Daswa a short, personal message inviting them to live more deeply the Gospel call of loving kindness and mercy.
On entering the Church,people will be encouraged to spend time in silent adoration and prayerful reflection before Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. During this quiet time,they can read the message, ponder it in their hearts and ask Jesus how he wants them to live this message in their daily lives.This atmosphere of prayerful silence will offer all the opportunity of listening to Jesus speaking in their hearts,and of having a heart-to-heart chat with Him about their lives, hopes, fears,deep longings and needs.
Throughout this quiet time, priests will be available for those wishing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This graced invitation is a precious opportunity to receive from Jesus’ Sacred Heart the forgiving and healing touch of His loving kindness and mercy. Jesus’ Heart will be there longing to pour out on all who come to Him, the grace of passing on to others His gift of loving kindness and mercy.
After receiving this Sacrament of God’s loving kindness and mercy, all will be encouraged to spend some quiet time next to the tomb of Blessed Benedict Daswa in the presence of his mortal remains, thanking him for the example of his holy life, and asking for his prayers and help in living more faithfully the gift of God’s loving kindness and mercy.
Exposition will close with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
Anyone wishing to remain in Nweli Church for quiet prayer after 6.00pm will be free to do so.
