It was supposed to be just a visit of a group of pilgrims from Poland. They had been in touch with the administrator of the Cathedral in order to be able to celebrate Mass during their only day in the Kingdom of Eswatini. In a matter of days though, it became a diocesan event.
The reason? One of the pilgrims, visiting our diocese last year, was touched finding our Cathedral has a chapel dedicated to St John Paul II. It was blessed in 2018 on the 30th anniversary of his visit to our country and diocese. He then thought of bringing a very special donation to the chapel: a relic of St John Paul II kindness of the “John Paul II Foundation” in the Holy See.
Though we wished they could join us for any of the Sunday Masses in the Cathedral, it became clear they could only be in in Manzini by 1 pm which was a very unusual time for a diocesan gathering. I cannot recall any celebration done at that time of the day on a Sunday. Aside of the time, Manzini has been particularly hot these days.
We then announced to the people of the Cathedral and the whole diocese that a relic of St John Paul II was being brought to our diocese and we would meet on Sunday at 1.30 at the bishop’s house, being the place where John Paul II was based during his visit. Remembering the one who traveled all over the world proclaiming the Gospel, we would walk in procession to the Cathedral.
It was a moving and joyful gathering. The Cathedral was packed to capacity. Having placed the crucifix with the relic in front of the altar, people were invited to venerate the relic and present their personal prayers. Soon we realized that everyone wanted to do so and just that moment would probably take a couple of hours. We therefore asked them to continue after Mass.
The celebration of the Mass was done had readings and hymns in Siswati, English and Polish. During the homily, Fr Mahazule – Vicar General – shared his joy as having been the one who read the Gospel at Mass during John Paul’s visit in 1988.
The Cathedral “parish council” surprised the pilgrims with a gift for each one of them. They could not contain their joy. They felt home and warmly welcomed.
After Mass, the procession to venerate the relic continued for a long time. At the same time, everyone had been invited to share a meal and spend time together. The language barrier was overcome by the joy of our common faith.
