Feastday

Feastday 2017

NOVENA IN PREPARATION FOR THE FEAST 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 have been sent to Mariannhill Mission Press for printing, and will be available also on the official Benedict Daswa Website:
www.benedictdaswa.org.za.

People throughout the SACBC Dioceses will be 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 will also be 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 Daswa Novena Booklet can be used during these nine days, and is available for downloading in various languages from the official Benedict Daswa Website. It is also available in booklet form from the Daswa Office in the Diocese of Tzaneen, and from other SACBC Dioceses. Radio Veritas will broadcast the Novena Prayer during these nine days commencing 23 January. Available also online and through SACBC Dioceses, are the official Prayer to Implore Favours and Prayer for Canonization.

CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FEAST IN THE PARISH OF THOHOYANDOU THEME:

As Friends of Blessed Benedict Daswa together let us become Women and Men of Loving Kindness and Mercy.

EVE OF THE FEAST 31 JANUARY 2017

From 3.00pm to 6.00pm on 31 January people will be invited to spend a period of silent adoration, prayer and reflection in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Nweli. This period of immediate preparation for the Feast on 1 February will be a time of grace, reconciliation and healing close to the place where the moral remains of Blessed Benedict Daswa rest.

Before entering the Church, all will receive from Blessed Benedict Daswa a short, personal message inviting them to live more deeply the Gospel call of loving kindness and mercy.

On entering the Church, people will be encouraged to spend time in silent adoration and prayerful reflection before Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament. During this quiet time, they can read the message, ponder it in their hearts and ask Jesus how he wants them to live this message in their daily lives. This atmosphere of prayerful silence will offer all the opportunity of listening to Jesus speaking in their hearts, and of having a heart-to-heart chat with Him about their lives, hopes, fears, deep longings and needs.

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 passing on to others His gift of loving kindness and mercy. After receiving this Sacrament of God’s loving kindness and mercy, all will be encouraged to spend some quiet time in the presence of the mortal remains of Blessed Benedict Daswa, thanking him for the example of his holy life, and asking for his prayers and help in living more faithfully the gift of God’s loving kindness and mercy.

Exposition will close with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Anyone wishing to remain in Nweli Church for quiet prayer after 6.00pm will be free to do so.

THE FEAST 01 FEBRUARY 2017

On the actual day of the Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa, 01 February, celebrations will be held at Tshitanini Village, where the Beatification took place on 13 September 2015, and where the future Shrine and Pilgrimage Centre will be situated.

7.00am to 9.00am* Veneration of the Relics of Blessed Benedict Daswa

9.00am to 11.00am Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa

11.00am to 12 noon Veneration of the Relics of Blessed Benedict Daswa
* During the Veneration of Relics priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.