DAY 2 A MAN OF WORK

 True to his motto, “Pray and Work”, Benedict believed in honest, hard work as a way of glorifying God and helping people in the community. As Principal of Nweli Primary School, Benedict was wholly dedicated to the work of education. One day a teacher tried to skip his lesson preparation for the following week by going to the bank in Sibasa to withdraw his salary. On noticing his absence, Benedict got in his car, chased after him, stopped the taxi and made the teacher return with him to school to complete his preparation. That done, Benedict then drove the teacher to the bank.

 

In his relationship with his learners, Benedict was always motivated by love. He encouraged them to be diligent, independent and self-reliant. Those unable to pay school fees were invited to work in his garden to earn their school fees. Benedict would visit the families of absentees to find out the reason and to see if he could offer help. With his own children, he worked in his vegetable garden and planted trees – something quite unusual for school teachers, headmasters, or educated people in general.

 

Benedict exercised good stewardship by using his money wisely and well. He was the first in his village to build a brick house with savings from his salary and from selling vegetables and fruit from his garden and orchard. Through careful budgeting, he purchased a car, TV set and telephone, but because of envy, some people suspected him of making use of zombies (corpses supposedly brought back to life by witchcraft).

 

Word of God

It will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted his possessions to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. (Matthew 25, 14-15)

 

Deepening of Faith

Nazareth, O House of the “Carpenter's son”, it is here that we would like to understand and celebrate the severe and redemptive law of human labour; here restore awareness of the nobility of work; here remember that work is not an end in itself, but its freedom and its nobility come, as well as its economic value, from values which are its goal; how we would like to finally welcome here all workers of the world and show them their great model, their divine brother, the Prophet of all their just causes, Christ our Lord. (Pope Paul VI, Address in Nazareth, 5 January 1964)

 

Reflection             Am I doing my job/work as well as I can?

Do I feel ashamed when doing manual work?

 

Prayer       People go forth to do their work, to their labour till the evening falls.

How varied are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you have made them all;

The earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104, 23-24)

 

Prayer

DAY 1 BAPTISED IN CHRIST

The eldest of five children, Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa was born on 16 June 1946, in the village of Mbahe near Thohoyandou. Growing up in the African Traditional Religion, he belonged to the Bakali clan of the Lemba tribe, who regard themselves as descendants of the Jews. They live mainly among the Venda tribe but are also found among the Northern Sotho and Tsonga tribes in the Province of Limpopo, South Africa. As a high school student Tshimangadzo took instruction in the Catholic faith from his catechist, the late Father Benedict Risimati. He was greatly influenced by this man of deep faith and as a result chose Benedict for his baptismal name. He made his own the motto of St Benedict, “Pray and Work”, which inspired his whole life as a Christian. On 21 April 1963 he was baptised by Father Augustine O'Brien MSC and received his First Holy Communion. Three months later he was confirmed by Rt Rev Abbot/Bishop F C Van Hoeck OSB, Bishop of Pietersburg Diocese. After completing High School, Benedict trained as a Primary School teacher.

 

Word of God

We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. (Romans 6,4-5)

 

Deepening of Faith

…since Baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity. To ask catechumens:"Do you wish to receive Baptism?" means at the same time to ask them: "Do you wish to become holy?" It means to set before them the radical nature of the Sermon on the Mount:"Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt 5,48). (NMI 3)

 

Reflection             What does the baptism I have received mean to me?

Do I really wish to become holy, as God is holy?

 

Prayer            You guide me along the right path for the sake of your name.

Even when I walk through a dark valley,

I fear no harm for you are at my side;

your rod and your staff give me courage.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.

(Psalm 23, 2b-4.6)

 

 

Prayer 

Novena devoted to Blessed Benedict Daswa

 

PRAYER

 

For the Canonization  of Bl. Benedict Daswa

(To be recited at the end of each day’s Novena Prayer)

 

O Blessed Trinity,

I believe that you dwell in me through my baptism.

I love You, I adore You and I worship You.

I give you thanks for your Servant, Benedict,

Whom you chose to bear witness unto death for his faith

In Jesus Christ, my Saviour and my Lord.

 

Almighty Father, you filled the heart of your Servant, Benedict,

With great love and zeal in building up your kingdom.

You gave him the courage and the strength

To stand up for his faith without fear, even the fear of death.

 

Loving God, keep me free from all deeds of darkness.

Protect me from evil spirits and the powers of evil.

Make me a true apostle of life in my family and in society.

May your light, O Lord, shine upon me and through me.

 

Lord Jesus, through the intercession of your Servant, Benedict,

I ask that I may follow his example

Of always being ready to forgive in a Christian spirit.

 

You know all about my many problems and worries

And my great fears when I look to the future.

I draw strength and courage from the life of your Servant.

I come to you now, Lord, and through intercession

I ask for this very special favour… if it is according to your will.

 

Help me always to follow the good example of Benedict.

By daily prayer and regular attendance at Church,

Help me to love You, O Lord, above all things

(To be recited at the end of each day's Novena Prayer)

And to love others as you love me.

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important moments in the journey of life of Bishop Hugh Slattery MSC

The late Bishop Emeritus of Tzaneen Hugh Patrick Slattery, MSC,was born on the 10th of March 1934 in Nenagh in Co Tipperary, Ireland.
 He joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC) in August 1951 and entered the MSC novitiate at Myross Wood, Cork in Ireland. He made his first profession the following year and was ordained a priest on 16 July 1958.
 Soon after his ordination, he was sent to South Africa, where he was appointed to the Diocese of Port Elizabeth. From 1961 to 1966, he studied at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and graduated with a BA Honours degree, majoring in African Studies.
 In 1966, Fr Hugh Slattery MSC took up an appointment at Lumko Missiological Institute in Queenstown. He became Rector of the Institute in 1973, a position he held until 1980, when he was elected the regional superior of the MSCs in Southern Africa.
On 22 June 1984, he was appointed Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Louis Trichardt-Tzaneen. His episcopal ordination took place on 30 September 1984 in Dwars River Parish.
 On the 28th of January 2010, after 25 years of serving the Diocese of Tzaneen as its bishop, he retired and he continued with pastoral work at Musina Parish for three years and thereafter lived and served at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre, Mooketsi in the Tzaneen Diocese.
He moved to Pretoria in December 2023 and passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Home, Pretoria, on Sunday afternoon 6th of October 2024.
Bishop Hugh Slattery's death is predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Julia, by his sister Margaret O'Brien (Ballycommon) and by his brother William (Billy) (Ballyanny).
He is deeply mourned by his family: especially his sister Clare RSM (Nenagh), his brother James (Jimmy) (Ballyanny), his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; and by his friends in Ireland; mourned also by his fellow Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,and by all in the Diocese of Tzaneen and in SACBC region.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Funeral Services

 

Bishop Emeritus Hugh Patrick Slattery MSC:1934-2024

 

Bishop Hugh SLattery MSC passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Home, Pretoria on Sunday afternoon 6th of October 2024. May the Lord in his mercy grant him eternal peace in the holy name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Bishop Emeritus Hugh Parrick Slattery was born on the 10th of March 1934 in Nenagh in Co Tipperary, Ireland.

 Feeling the call to the priesthood he joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSCs) and was ordained a priest in 1958.

In 1984 he was appointed and ordained the Bishop of Louis-Trichardt- Tzaneen.
On the 28th of January 2010 he retired and went to live in a small community to continue pastoral work at Musina and later was based at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre.

He moved to Pretoria in December 2023 and passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Home, Pretoria on Sunday afternoon 6th of October 2024.

His missionary life was full and varied. 

When the Lumko Missiological Institute was set up the MSCs were approached to provide qualified staff and Fr Hugh Slattery was missioned there. The Institute developed and provided courses in local languages and social anthropology for new missionaries. Training was also provided for catechists, and other departments were added to deliver training in pastoral and biblical studies. The Institute produced many practical training materials for various lay ministries which have been widely used around the world. In 1978, Fr Hugh Slattery co-edited Pastoral Orientation in a Changing World.

Bishop Hugh was also instrumental in the writing of the book HIV/AIDS A Call to Action – Responding as Christians, was inspired by the positive response he received to a Pastoral Letter he wrote on the issue. The Pastoral Letter received praise from the then Archbishop of Durban, Wilfrid Napier. In the foreword to the book, he writes: “The Pastoral Letter by Bishop Hugh Slattery is a most valuable instrument in the battle not only to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS, but especially to ensure that the followers of Jesus reach out in love and compassion to those who are suffering from AIDS … Bishop Slattery’s approach will make it possible for many more Catholics to know the Church’s teaching and live it. In that way they will not only make a telling impact on the spread of HIV/AIDS, but also rebuild their marriages and family life on the values of the Gospel.”

He also played an important role in having other materials published but his crowning glory was the promotion of the cause resulting in the eventual beatification of Blessed Benedict Daswa on 13 September 2015. The now Bishop Emeritus, Hugh Slattery MSC, in his book on Benedict Daswa – South Africa’s First Martyr, writes “Nourished by prayer, the Word of God and the regular reception of the Sacraments, Benedict was deeply involved in the life of the parish. He was full of enthusiasm for the spread of the gospel through building up strong, local Catholic communities.”
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Like the seed buried in the ground, you have produced the harvest of eternal life for us; make us always dead to sin and alive to God. Benedict Daswa Pray for us. Amen.