South Africa – Comboni Jubilee Pilgrimage to Magaliesburg

The destination of this first-ever Comboni Pilgrimage was the Mary, Mother of Mercy Shrine in Magaliesburg, in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, located about 80 km from the Metropolitan See. We were a group of about 40 missionary pilgrims.

In his opening remarks, Fr. John Baptist, the Provincial Superior, warmly welcomed Mons. Buti Tlhagale, Archbishop Emeritus of Johannesburg, who graciously accompanied us on this pilgrimage. He also expressed gratitude to all members of the Comboni Family for turning out in large numbers for this inaugural Comboni Pilgrimage.

Fr. John Baptist highlighted the presence of the scholastics and postulants — the youthful present and future of our Comboni Institute — as well as the senior confrères, the living memory of the Institute.

Quoting the late Pope Francis, he recalled: “If the young are called to open new doors, the elders hold the keys.” He further reminded us that Comboni envisioned us as “holy and capable missionaries,” always ready to spend our lives and energy for the poorest and most abandoned. “The poor are still waiting for our response through concrete initiatives on their behalf.”

Fr. John Baptist concluded with the following words of our Father and Founder: “Courage for the present, but above all for the future!”

Mons. Buti Tlhagale shared with us some reflections on the great mission of the Church and on Comboni’s pioneering role in the evangelisation of Africa. Afterwards, we prayed a walking Rosary around the grounds of the Marian Shrine, followed by the Eucharistic concelebration and an agape luncheon.

St. Daniel Comboni, pray for us!

Father John Baptist Keraryo Opargiw, mccj