Democratic Republic of the Congo

Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo: report by Muhindo Mapendo Kasongo Pascal

On the 17th of May, 2015, an important gathering was organized in Beni by young people of the Beni Cité Parish, in which I became established three months ago. A delegation of the Executive Commission from Butembo, the center of our diocese, was also present. I am a member of that Executive Commission, and my liturgical clothing bears the symbols of the young people’s organization in our diocese. The symbols were offered to me as a gift upon my priestly ordination in February of this year. I am also the spiritual leader of young people in my parish in Beni.

We invited everybody, not only the young people of my parish, to participate in this activity, in which we pray for peace in the hearts of all the people in the world, all people in Africa, and especially for peace in hearts of those who are living in Beni and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. We celebrated with a special mass. The people who participated believe in the power of prayers, and used the energy to pray for peace.

Another group of young people met in Butembo, as well. They talked together and prayed for peace.