By Kati Dijane – Far East Rand Catholic News

On Saturday, 8 March 2025, more than 500 people in the Archdiocese of Cape Town gathered at Our Lady Help of Christians in Landsdowne to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass for Cardinal Stephen Brislin. The celebration was attended by Auxiliary Bishop Sylvester David OMI, priests and deacons, seminarians from St Francis Xavier Seminary in Cape Town, religious sisters, as well as parishioners from across the archdiocese, with the Archdiocese of Cape Town Choir leading the music.

Cardinal Brislin, who was appointed Archbishop of Johannesburg in October 2024 and installed in January 2025, has had a packed schedule since—balancing his responsibilities in Johannesburg, serving as apostolic administrator in Cape Town, and leading the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference as its newly elected president. This has led the archdiocese to set a farewell date on the first Saturday of Lent.

A warm welcome

Brandon Paulse, the secretary of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, welcomed everyone at the start of Mass, setting the tone for an afternoon of thanksgiving and reflection. The congregation was filled with heartfelt emotion, as many had come to express their appreciation for the Cardinal’s dedicated service.

A time of reflection gratitude

In his homily, Cardinal Brislin expressed his deep gratitude for the warm welcome he received in Johannesburg and reflected on the season of Lent as a time of fasting, renewal and thanksgiving. He said, “During this time, we have heard the scripture readings (Isaiah 58: 9-14, Luke 5: 27-32) of the Mass, of God’s mercy, His tenderness, and forgiveness.

“In these 40 days, through our penance and renewal, we open ourselves to God’s outpouring of grace into our hearts, and we emerge strengthened to face life with all its challenges. Most importantly, Lent should be a help for us as we grow and deepen our faith, and turn the light of the message of Christ more and more in our hearts and in our every being in order to have the image of Christ within us.”

He also pointed to the radical nature of Jesus’ actions and teachings, highlighting that radicalism cuts away everything that is not necessary and brings us to the essence of what our faith is and how God has delivered it.

He emphasised the importance of opening our hearts to God’s grace and using Lent as an opportunity to deepen our faith.

The cardinal also spoke about Jesus’ love—how Christ challenged societal norms by embracing those considered outcasts, including tax collectors and sinners. His message was clear: While we may struggle to forgive, Christianity calls us to show mercy and recognise the humanity in others. He reminded the faithful that only God is the ultimate judge and that our role is to be instruments of His love and compassion.

Before the final blessing, several speakers shared heartfelt words of gratitude for the Cardinal’s leadership and service. Quoting St Francis of Assisi, who once said, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength,” Father Michael Van Heerden, representing the clergy, thanked the Cardinal for his strong yet gentle leadership, particularly during challenging times, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sr Connie O’Brien, speaking on behalf of religious and consecrated persons, praised the Cardinal for his unwavering commitment to truth and justice. With a touch of humour, she teased that, given his role in the Dicastery of the Causes of Saints, he might need to start working on his own sainthood.

Luzuko Tseku, the chairperson of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, spoke of the Cardinal’s lasting legacy of love, unity and faith in action. “You have walked with us in times of joy and sorrow, always pointing us towards Jesus Christ,” he said, wishing him strength and blessings in his new role as the archbishop of Johannesburg.

Ms Ilidia D’Souza, who served as the cardinal’s secretary for 12 years, became emotional as she recalled their time working together. She described him as a kind and patient leader who will be greatly missed, concluding with a blessing from the Book of Numbers: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.”

Bishop Sylvester acknowledged the bittersweet nature of farewells, saying, “There’s a time for arrival and a time for departure. That’s the nature of Christian pilgrimage.” He congratulated the Archdiocese of Johannesburg on receiving a leader whose greatest strength lies in his gentleness, noting that his presence instilled confidence and hope in those he served.

As the Mass concluded, Cardinal Brislin expressed his gratitude to the faithful in Cape Town for allowing him to serve them for 15 years. After the final blessing, people took the opportunity to personally bid him farewell, snap photos and enjoy refreshments.

At 68, Cardinal Brislin now embarks on his next chapter as Archbishop of Johannesburg, bringing with him decades of wisdom, experience and a steadfast commitment to his service. Johannesburg will be the third diocese the cardinal shepherds, as he was appointed bishop of his home diocese of Kroonstad in the Free State in 2006 before he was transferred to the Archdiocese of Cape Town in 2009. Having served in the priesthood for 42 years, he was created and proclaimed Cardinal by Pope Francis in the consistory of 30 September 2023 (during his birthday month).

While he may be moving on, many parishioners in Cape Town said his impact will not be forgotten.