BURUNDI, Diomède Mujojoma. “The world is large. May your hearts also be big like the heart of the Child Jesus who sets the hearts of all men on fire.” This was the message by the Archbishop of Bujumbura, Evaristo Ngoyagoye, to the thousands of children of the Missionary Childhood from the various parishes in the Bujumbura archdiocese, gathered together at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mount Zion Gikungu on January 8, 2012 for the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord – Children’s Missionary Day – of the at the 9.30am Eucharistic celebration presided by Archbishop Ngoyagoye.
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matt. 2:2) This is the only question that the magi, arriving from the East, had for King Herod when they arrived in Jerusalem and Herod “the Great” became worried, and all of Israel with him.
This passage from Scripture formed the basis for the homily and message that the Archbishop of Bujumbura gave to the children of the Missionary Childhood, gathered at the Schoenstatt Shrine in Mount Zion Gikungu to celebrate the Epiphany of our Lord. “On the Epiphany,” he said, “the Church invites children to teach us the Good News of freedom. Nobody is excluded from receiving the Good News that Jesus Christ came to bring to the entire world.”
Guided by the star and a light
Guided by the star and a light, just like the three magi in Sacred Scripture, three children from the Missionary Childhood emerged from the corners of the church dressed as kings, wearing crowns on their heads, carrying a staff, and walking majestically towards the Nativity. They then knelt at the feet of the Child Jesus and offered him their presents, representing thousands of other children from the parishes in Gatumba, Kanyosha, Kinindo, Musaga, Buyenzi, Kamenge, Kinama, Ngagara, Nyakabiga and Gihosha. The children expressed their joy, particularly at the offertory, when they responded to the hymns sung by the Kinindo Parish Children’s Choir and the Sacred Heart Choir from Mount Zion Gikungu. They danced in the church, waving their flags and banners. And the congregation shared their joy.
Archbishop Ngoyagoye also shared his joy of being able to celebrate yet another anniversary of his priestly ordination. He was ordained in Rome by Pope Paul VI, together with the other seminarians from all over the world. “The Holy Father gave us a mission to take the Good News of the birth of Christ to all corners of our countries. We are, therefore, also magi like you, dear children and youth,” the prelate said. Since it was also the day before the start of a new school year, the archbishop also urged the children and youth present to pray for all learners, so that they could be successful in their studies.
It is also worth mentioning that this feast – Children’s Missionary Day – is celebrated in all the parishes across Burundi and the whole world; and the collections from all masses on this day are sent to Rome for all the needy children of the world. This event took place at Mount Zion already last year and Archbishop Ngoyagoye was also there to share his joy with the children, for whom he shares a deep affection.
Source: http://www.sanctuaire-mont-sion.net/
Translation: Sarah-Leah Pimentel, Pretoria, South Africa
