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.
Since
2015, the devotion to Blessed Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa has been
growing among the Catholic faithful and even among some non-Catholics who are encouraged
by Catholic members to ask him to intercede for their needs. We have also seen
a steady increase in the number of pilgrims each year. The 1st of
February feast-day celebration has been growing steadily among the Catholic faithful.
Some people have also made it a point to diarise the date so that they would
not miss it. We have also seen an increase in the SACBC organised Men’s and
Women’s pilgrimages. Sadly, this had to stop in 2020 & 2021 because of
COVID19 pandemic.
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.
Now,
we are at the next phase in the process of seeking to get him canonised and
thus be recognised as a Saint for the whole universal church. Since then, under
the guidance of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints,we have been doing a
follow-up with this particular favour that Rome had selected. We are now happy
to announce that the results of this phase of the investigation have been sent
to Rome for evaluation. We confidently yet patiently wait in prayer like the
apostles and disciples waited in prayer and fasting in the upper room for the
coming of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2,1).
Please
pray to God in the holy name of Jesus, and also ask for the intercession of our
Blessed Mother Mary, and indeed, Blessed Daswa himself, that we may get a favourable
response from Rome. We pray that when the members of the Congregation for the
Causes of Saints study, scrutinize and evaluate all the documents and
testimonies which we sent them, Pope Francis will then be able to discern and
respond if Blessed Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa can be canonized and
proclaimed as a Saint for the universal Church.
May
God bless you all and may Blessed Tshimangadzo
Samuel Benedict Daswa intercede for your needs and the needs of your family and
community.
+Rt. Reverend Bishop Joao Rodrigues Sr Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi, OP.
Bishop of Tzaneen Promotor of the Cause
bishopjoao@mweb.co.za
bendaswa@mweb.co.za
Pentecost Sunday, 23
May 2021
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