Johannesburg Archdiocese marked Extraordinary Mission Month by having a special celebration ahead of Mission Sunday. The event started with a Rosary procession from St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Boksburg to St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls whereby the glorious mysteries of the World Mission Rosary for Missions were recited during which parishes and sodalities hoisted their flags bearing the Baptised and Sent logo high.
This was followed by Mass celebrated by Bishop Duncan Tsoke with Archbishop Buti Tlhagale omi concelebrating. They were assisted by their clergy.
Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI said Extraordinary Mission Month is intended to rekindle our faith and our exclusive devotion to God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit; the Holy Trinity.
It is a solemn reminder that we have been baptised in the name of Jesus and that what is required of us is to continuously nurture and strengthen our faith, he continued.
With missionaries dwindling and lesser vocations to the priesthood and religious, he encouraged the crowd to be missionaries in their own communities.
He went on to speak about things that seem to compete with our faith such acquisition of power and material possessions. Quoting Matthew 6: 24 he said: “No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other.”
The liturgy featured various cultures taking part all witnessing to the universality of the faith.