AVE MARIA PASTORAL CENTRE - DIOCESE OF TZANEEN - SOUTH AFRICA
an animation, renewal and support centre for Evangelization in the Spirit of Jesus Christ in Diocese of Tzaneen South Africa
Monday, January 9, 2023
Saturday, June 19, 2021
The Bible Course "Exploring Scripture Together" concluded on Sunday 13 June 2021
The Bible Course "Exploring Scripture Together" concluded on Sunday 13 June 2021 with the distribution of the certificates and a thanksgiving Mass for the participants presided by Bishop Emeritus Hugh Slattery MSC in the chapel of Ave Maria Pastoral Centre. The two-year course took three years to complete because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Blessed Benedict Daswa - Tzaneen Diocesan inquiry on miracle sent to Rome
On
the 13th September 2015, we celebrated the beatification of the
Servant of God Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa at Tshiṱanini. When he was
beatified, he was recognised as a Saint for the local church. This was a
culmination of the long process that began in early 2000. As the cause for his
beatification was that of martyrdom, there was no need for a miracle to be
recognised by the Church for this first phase of the process.
Some of these faithful people have received favours that are remarkable and they have shared their experiences with us. These people came from all over South Africa and even beyond the borders of South Africa. Of the many people who were willing to share their stories, some favours were selected and presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome to see if any of them could be considered to be a possible miracle. The Diocese of Tzaneen was fortunate to have received a go-ahead to formally investigate one of these favours.
+Rt. Reverend Bishop Joao Rodrigues Sr Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi, OP.
Bishop of Tzaneen Promotor of the Cause
bishopjoao@mweb.co.za
bendaswa@mweb.co.za
Saturday, December 26, 2020
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.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
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
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Blessed Benedict Daswa - Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Martyrdom
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 1st FEBRUARY 2020
On the actual day of the Feast of Blessed Tshimangadzo Benedict Daswa, on 1st 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