2018 CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FEAST DAY OF BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA
NOVENA PRAYER
People throughout the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference region are encouraged to pray for the favours and graces they need during nine days prior to the Feast Day of Blessed Benedict Daswa on 1 February. This novena will commence on 23 January 2018 and conclude on 31 January 2018. The Daswa Novena Booklet can be used during these nine days, and is available for downloading in various languages from this official Benedict Daswa Website. Available also online and through SACBC Dioceses, are the official Prayer to Implore Favours and Prayer for Canonization.
CELEBRATIONS FOR THE FEAST DAY IN THE PARISH OF THOHOYANDOU
THEME: CALLED TO BE JESUS’ DISCIPLES LIKE BLESSED BENEDICT DASWA
EVE OF THE FEAST WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY 2018
From 4.00pm to 6.00pm on Wednesday 31 January people areinvited to spend a period of silent adoration, prayer and reflection in the Church of Our Lady of Fatima, at Shayandima (near Thohoyandou along R 524, 1st traffic lights on the right side, after Tshilidzini Hospital). This period of immediate preparation for the Feast on 1 February will be a time of grace, reconciliation and healing with silent adoration and prayerful reflection for examination of their conscience. The Most Blessed Sacrament will be exposed. During this quiet time, people 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. Priests will be available for 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.
THE FEAST DAY – THURSDAY 01 FEBRUARY 2018
On the actual day of the Feast of Blessed T. S. Benedict Daswa, 01 February 2018, 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. The Road has been tarred from Dzingahe Village until the site.
7.00am to 9.00am* Veneration of the Relics of Blessed T. S. Benedict Daswa
At 8:15 am Prayer of the Rosary (The Luminous Mysteries) lead by lay people and Prayer of the Litany of Blessed T. S. Benedict Daswa – Martyr of Jesus Christ
9.00 am to 11.00am Eucharistic Celebration of the Feast of Blessed Benedict Daswa
11.00 am to 12 noon Veneration of the Relics of Blessed Benedict Daswa in procession.
* During the Veneration of Relics (between 7:00 am and 9:00 am), priests will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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.