By Maduduza Zwane
St. Joseph Sodality is an association of Married Catholic Men in the diocese of Manzini. These men are dedicated to becoming spiritual leaders of their families by strengthening their faith and being “real world” examples of Christ. They pray and give themselves new ways to reflect upon their lives and be better servants to God, church, communities and their families.
As they are dedicated to praying and reflecting, these men joined hundreds of other Catholic men from different dioceses in South Africa to collectively pray at Kevelaer in Kwa Zulu Natal (Ixopo).
Kevelaer is a well-known place of Pilgrimage in South Africa. Kevelaer in South Africa is called after a town in Northern Germany which had been a well-known place of Pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady.
The Pilgrimage of 2019 began on the 12th October and ended on the 13th October. The theme of the Pilgrimage was taken from John 10: 11-15 – 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Twenty-Two Men from the diocese of Manzini including their spiritual director Father Pius Magagula were part of the pilgrims at Kevelaer. They placed their petitions before our Lady at the Shrine.
Mass was celebrated by Bishop Pius Dlungwane of the Diocese of Marianhill who incidentally was celebrating his birthday on the day. The men presented a ram to him as a birthday present.
The pilgrims returned to Swaziland on Sunday safely and very much motivated.
