On June 7th 2015, the Montfortian family, present here in Kisangani, R.D Congo, has celebrated a solemn Mass to open the Tercentenary of the death of their founder, St Louis Marie de Montfort. The celebration took place in church of Saint Paul, Kibibi.
The Eucharist was celebrated by Mgr. François Muharabu, the Vicar General of Kisangani diocese, in the presence of some visitors like Father Luigi Gritti, General Counsellor of the Montfortian missionaries and two brothers of Saint Gabriel from Kinshasa: Cléophas and Athanase.
All the Montfortian Congregations were represented: the Daughters of Wisdom, the Montfortian missionaries, the Brothers of Saint Gabriel and lay groups like: “Les companions de Montfort” and “Les Jeunes Amis de Montfort”. Many parishioners and religious took part in the celebration.
In his homely, Mgr. Muharabu insisted on the memory of Saint Montfort, which is not only a richness of the Montfortian family but that of the whole Church. He has invited Christians to imitate Montfort’s example and to follow him as a model of virtues.
Many activities were held after the Mass: Some games, Parade of the parish bands followed by the performance of the orchestra “Companions of Montfort”. A fraternal lunch ended the ceremony.
A common project was launched on the occasion of the Tercentenary on June 8, 2015: the construction of the Marian Shrine of “Marie Reine des Coeurs”, in the presence of Father Eugénio Cucchi, Sister Pierette representing, the Daughters of Wisdom, other members of the Montfortian Family and some other lay people.
-Charles Mumbere Kiputsu, SMM
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