ZIMBABWE, Marlene Peter. On Friday evening 31 May, the Feast of the Visitation, the Blessed Mother Queen of Africa was crowned during Holy Mass in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Schoenstatt Family began a nine week “Queen of Africa” novena on 29 March in preparation. They have crowned her every year since 1981 and had promised to continue to do so as a gift for Father Kentenich’s hundredth birthday in 1985. She has taken this crowning seriously and has cared perfectly, not only for those in Zimbabwe but throughout Africa.
Mary’s mission and ours- a reflection on the Visitation
Fr. Chisito, SJ from Arrupe College, was the celebrant. He calls himself a son of Mary and a friend of the Schoenstatt Family. The readings were from the Mass of the Visitation – Zephaniah 3: 14-18a and Luke 1: 39-56. In his homily, Fr. Chisito repeated the question Elizabeth asked, “Who am I, that the mother of my Lord should come to visit me?” That is the question we are asking ourselves, “Who are we that she has come to visit us.” Asked Elizabeth because she saw Mary on her doorstep. Why was she there? She is the symbol of God’s caring. At the Annunciation she said, “Yes.” “Blessed is she who believed…” Mary cares because she believes in God and His promises. Often we forget that God is God, and that He fulfils His promises. Mary is filled with that knowledge. Forgetful of self, she comes to visit another woman, who had at her age, been ‘counted out ‘ as being past being able to bear a child, barren. Mary has come to support her, to tell her, “We are in this together.”
Three things learned from Mary
We learn three things from Mary. 1) Elizabeth says, “You are the most blessed…” Mary has taken the prize— Most blessed—chosen by God, of all women the most blessed. We go to Mary, the Chosen Special One. 2)We must be aware of our blessedness. Mary is sure of hers. Let us rejoice in ours. 3)Sometimes we may realise that our neighbour is worse off than ourselves. What do we do? Mary steps out in faith. She takes the time to visit. Let us ‘visit’ one another, take the joy to our neighbour and console one another. We have been blessed. We often find it easier to give than accept. It works both ways. Mary was willing as well, to receive consolation from Elizabeth. Let us learn from Mary – visit one another.
Crowned Queen of Africa
During the crowning ceremony which then followed, they lit candles and Father prayed, “O Virgin Mary, the Triune God exalted you, making you Queen of Heaven and Earth. You are the Great Queen at the side of Christ our King. We rejoice at your greatness and glory. You are the most perfect of God’s creatures, elected to be the bride and mother of the Eternal Word. The Almighty endowed you with endless dignity and power. You are our Queen.” All the countries in Africa (52) were then mentioned in a litany in alphabetical order, “Queen of Algeria, Angola, Benin and Botswana…ending with Queen of Zimbabwe . And the response after each line, “Accept our homage and love.” The crowning prayers, first prayed by Fr. Kentenich, are very beautiful and meaningful. When the crown was placed on the picture of the MTA, they sang the “Queen of Africa” hymn and Mass continued. The truly joyfilled occasion was followed by the traditional Schoenstatt celebratory tea in the hall. They are in good hands MPHC.
