EDITORIAL

MOTHER OF HOPE

BY Rafael Armada | EDITOR

THE DEVOTION to Mother Mary extends over the whole continent of Africa. From North to South, East to West, crowds of devotees fill every corner of Marian shrines whenever celebrations take place. This fervent commitment is a sign of the vitality and lived faith by the Church in Africa.

Blessed Mary, in her advocacy of our Lady of Mercy, Deliverance or Mother of Africa, embodies the one who welcomes believers who bring to her their distress. Immersed in dire challenges, they come to Mary, searching for a listening ear and a heart which offers them consolation. In this journey of life, confronted with trials, abuses, sufferings and violence, often beyond our remedial capacity, Mother Mary is a beacon of hope for us all. Those who approach her and express their faith and trust in her power of intercession are an inspiration to all. Their prayers become an offering for the entire world which is entrenched in numerous kinds of conflict.

In Kibeho, Rwanda—where we find the only officially approved apparitions of Our Lady on African soil—the Rwandan bishop stated:
“This a place of pilgrimage and encounter for all who seek Christ and come here to pray, a fundamental centre of conversion, of reparation for the sins of the world and of reconciliation, a point of meeting for ‘all who were dispersed’, as for those who aspire to the values of compassion and fraternity without borders, a fundamental centre that recalls the Gospel of the Cross” (text included in the Declaration on the apparitions of Kibeho, by Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro).

The world needs peace. Let us remember the conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Somalia, Burma (Myanmar), the Sahel region, Yemen, eastern Congo (DRC), Sudan—the latter two referred to in this edition—among many others. The messages from Mother Mary always insist on the need for prayers for the world and the Church.

Fr Vincent Kyererezi, M.Afr. remarks that hundreds of people visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Afrique in Algeria daily, hailing mostly from this country, but also from many other neighbouring ones. “Among them are barren or pregnant women, schoolchildren pleading to pass their examinations, people suffering in body or soul, or simply on courtesy/curiosity visits; these people come to light a candle and pray quietly, invoking Mary in silent recollection. They entrust themselves to the intercession of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Africa, a source of joy and mother of hope for all. Mary, Our Lady of Africa, never ceases to intercede for us during these uncertain times. She wants the well-being of all her children without exception.” (mafrome.org)

Pope Benedict XVI, in his Encyclical Letter Spe Salvi, refers to “a hymn composed in the eighth or ninth century, with which the Church greets Mary, as ‘Star of the Sea’. Human life is a journey, often dark and stormy, in which we watch for the stars that indicate the route; people who have lived good lives. They are lights of hope. Jesus Christ is the true light, but in order to reach Him, we need lights in close proximity — people who shine with His light and guide us along our way. Who better than Mary could be a star of hope for us? With her “yes”, she opened the door of our world to God himself.” (§.49)

May we continue this Jubilee year, as Pilgrims of hope, ever increasingly inspired by Mary, who in her Magnificat proclaims God’s great works of mercy and invites humanity to celebrate Life through paths of liberation.

Wishing you a blessed time in preparation for Easter!