The retreat of the sisters at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre

The retreat of the sisters serving in Tzaneen Diocese took place from 15 to 22 December. 2020. This was the first retreat at Ave Maria Pastoral Centre since the priests' retreat in March after the national lockdown came into effect because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We thank the Lord that all went well under the direction of Fr James. 

                          Fr. James is giving a talk and leading the sisters into prayer.

The group photo in the church after the Holy Mass

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come spiritually into my heart. I embrace You and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen

We worship the Lord who is present in the Most Holy Sacrament of His Body and Blood

Heavenly Father, source of all life!  Send us your Holy Spirit, that we may recognize and grow in the love of Christ present in the Eucharist, who handed himself over for us! He is our Lord and our Master, our friend and our food, our healer and our peace.Give us the courage to take his strength and his joy to every person! Grant us, that this month of the Eucharist would serve the spiritual renewal of our community, cities, nations and the world.  Amen

Blessed Benedict Daswa - Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Martyrdom

FEAST DAY on SATURDAY 1 February 2020

CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FEAST DAY IN THE PARISH OF ṰHOHOYANḒOU at TSHITANINI Village at the site of the future Shrine

EVE OF THE FEAST ON FRIDAY 31 JANUARY 2020

From 16:00 to 21:00 on Friday 31 January people will be invited to spend a period of silent adoration, prayer and reflection in the TENT AT TSHIṰANINI. This period of immediate preparation for the Feast on 1 February will be a time of grace, reconciliation and healing.
On entering the area, people will be encouraged to spend time in silent adoration and prayerful reflection for examination of their conscience. Then the Most Blessed Sacrament will be exposed. During this quiet time, they can ponder in their hearts and ask Jesus how he wants them to be his disciples as Blessed T. S. Benedict Daswa was and how to live better that call in their daily lives.
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 becoming his disciples.
After receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, all will be encouraged to spend some quiet time in thanksgiving in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament, thanking Blessed Benedict Daswa for the example of his holy life and asking for his prayers and help in living more faithfully as Jesus’ disciples. Exposition will close with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
The conclusion of the nine days of prayers will also be prayed at the end of the evening celebration.

 THE FEAST DAY – SATURDAY 1^st FEBRUARY 2020

On the actual day of the Feast of Blessed Tshimangadzo Benedict Daswa, on 1^st  February 2020, celebrations will be held at Tshiṱanini Village, where the Beatification took place on 13 September 2015, and where the future Shrine and Pilgrimage Centre will be situated. The Road has been tarred from Dzingahe Village until the site.

From 6:30 am to 8:45 am – will be the Veneration of the Relics of Blessed T. S. Benedict Daswa

At 7:30 am the nine life stations of Blessed Daswa will be observed  followed by the Prayer of the Rosary lead by lay people and the Prayer of the Litany of Blessed T. S. Benedict Daswa – Martyr of Jesus Christ

9.00 am to 11.00  Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa presided by His Eminence Archbishop Wilfrid Napier OFM, Archbishop of Durban Archdiocese.
This will be followed by the veneration of the relics of Blessed Benedict Daswa in procession.

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NOVENA: 9 DAYS OF PRAYER BEFORE THE FEAST DAY OF BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA

The Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa has been approved by Rome for 01 February. This feast may be celebrated in all SACBC Dioceses and Parishes as a Memorial. The liturgical colour is Red as Blessed Benedict died a Martyr. 
The Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has officially approved proper Liturgical texts for the Celebration of the Eucharist and for the Liturgy of the Hours. These texts are available on the official Benedict Daswa Website.
People throughout the SACBC Dioceses are encouraged to pray for the favours and graces they need during nine days prior to the Feast on 1 February.
This novena will commence on 23 January and conclude on 31 January.
People are invited to perform three acts of kindness each day of the Novena in remembrance of the three acts of charity which Blessed Benedict performed the day he was martyred.
The Blessed Daswa Novena Booklet can be used during these nine days and is available for downloading in various languages from this official Benedict Daswa Website at 

http://benedictdaswa.org.za/praying-through-intercession/