The annual pilgrimages to Tshitanini in Tzaneen Diocese are meant to “promote devotion” to South African Martyr Blessed Tshimangadzo Samuel Benedict Daswa, says the promoter for the cause of sainthood.
In a conversation with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) communication office, Sr Tshifhiwa Munzhedzi OP questioned whether pilgrims understand the true meaning of the pilgrimages.
“These pilgrimages are meant to promote the devotion to Blessed Daswa, and I think this is the aspect that is still missing. We have a lot of events, but we don’t talk enough about why they travel so far to Tshiṱanini in memory of Blessed Daswa,” said Sr Munzhedzi, and asked “How does he touch their lives? Does he even touch their lives? Does he even challenge to become better Christians?”
According to Sr Munzhedzi since the beatification of Blessed Daswa in September 2015 there’s been an increase in the number of pilgrims. Sr Munzhedzi said “prayer” should be the main objective of the SACBC youth, women, and men’s pilgrimages.
Sr Munzhedzi went on to say that she would like to see a pilgrimage for couples as Blessed Daswa “was a lay-married man.”
“All these pilgrims should come together as one and the one umbrella and pray and reflect together. And maybe in the future, we will have a couples’ pilgrimage because Daswa was a lay-married man,” said Sr Munzhedzi in the interview with the SACBC communication office.
Meanwhile, during the women’s pilgrimage led by the SACBC Coordinating Secretary for the Department for the Laity, Fr Nhlanhla Mchunu called on the pilgrims gathered in Tshitanini to use the Year of Prayer designated by Pope Francis in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ as a period “to share our faith with other people.”
Reflecting on Blessed Daswa’s martyrdom Fr Mchunu said, “Blessed Benedict Daswa did not remain indifferent when his faith was at stake. On these very grounds, Blessed Daswa confessed his Christian faith even to the point of shedding his own blood.”
“We are standing on the grounds that witnessed a person who was consumed by the zeal of his faith, confessed it to his last breath,” he added.
Fr Mchunu went on to ask pilgrims how they live with the members of their families, and whether they share their faith with their family members.
He asked, “How do we live with the members of our family? Do we share our faith with them? Do we encourage them to be the best that God has created them to be? Those who fault against us, do we forgive them, or do we hold grudges?”
“During this Year of Prayer, we are expected to share our faith with other people. Therefore, it is in doing little things with love that we show our passion for God,” he added.
The next pilgrimage to Tshitanini will be led by Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani, SCI from March 09-10, all men are invited to attend.
