“That is why, when the Eucharistic celebration is over, the Priest bids them (the faithful) farewell in the peace of the Lord, to return to where they came from to proclaim the Good News of Salvation,” he further said, adding, “It is the mission of every Christian to proclaim liberty and freedom to the captives.”
Reflecting on the renewal of Priestly commitments during the Chrism Mass, Bishop Muandula said, “It is not only for the Clergy, but also for the faithful since all are Priests through baptism and confirmation.”
“It is in this role that we are gathered today, Priests and Laity all together, the blessing of the Holy Oils is done in community, in church, to signify the Church's Mass of being a Priestly people, a people who are at the service of God on behalf of men, but who are also at the service of men who cry out to God, and who will bring their prayer to him,” he added.
The Local Ordinary of Mozambique’s Xai Xai Diocese, who doubles as the first Vice President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) explained, “We always celebrate the Chrism Mass during the week because it's not possible to celebrate it on Sunday, but this Eucharist is so important, because the holy people of God are always called to be present for it.”
He continued, “This does not take away from the importance and primacy of the Priesthood for all the baptized.”
“No one has any excuse not to be God's bridge in the midst of society by failing to commit to proclaiming the good news of salvation. Wherever we are, we must be the light of the world and the salt of the earth,” the 64-year-old Catholic Bishop who has been at the helm of Xai-Xai Diocese since his Episcopal Ordination in October 2004 said.
He went on to invite the people of God “to imitate what ordained ministers do because we are invited during this Holy Week and this Easter Triduum to identify with Christ the High and Eternal Priest, who shows each one of us how he is going to live his Priesthood in society.”
“On these Easter feasts, we will in fact be giving life to our catechumen brothers and sisters who will be born into a new life through Baptism thanks to this ministerial Priesthood, a Priesthood received through the laying on of hands,” Bishop Muandula said.
João Vissesse is an Angolan Journalist with a passion and rich experience in Catholic Church Communication and Media Apostolate.
