By Luke Bisani
Archdiocese of Blantyre Communications Department
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi declared this year a Bible Year. In fact, dioceses in the country have officially launched the year with colourful celebrations. But perhaps some might be wondering, was the Bible year only about launches, Bible verses that children are reciting during Mass and awaits its closure on the feast of Christ the King in November?
A quick look into the Bible year pot reveals something different. It s a pot that will serve a delicious meal to Catholics. It is a year that leaves no one behind as a number of activities have been outline for every Christian to participate.
Each month has a number of Bible activities that are to be done at the national and dioceses level from the day year of Bible was launched until end this year.
Through Bible quiz and choir festivals, the Bible year will nurture children who hold a vibrate future for the Church if they are well prepared today. Their understanding of the Bible will to bring them together at parish, deanery, diocese, up to the national level.
“In August, we have national mission congress to be held in Lilongwe and we are expecting that we are to have children from all the dioceses in the country. These children are to have competition of activities at national level,” said Nation Director for Pontifical Missionary Society (PMS) in Malawi, Father Vincent Mwakhwawa.
“We want these children to be agents of proclaiming the Gospel. We want them to proclaim the Word of God through songs that they are to compose and sing those songs” added Father Mwakhwawa.
With mandate from Most Rev. Thomas Luke Msusa of the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Father Peter Kantembe and Father Paul Nampota have been trusted to lead the Pastoral Biblical desk in the Archdiocese.
“In the Archdiocese of Blantyre, a number of activities are to be done from Small Christian Communities (SCCs), parishes, deaneries and the Archdiocese level then those that are to win are to participate on the national level” said Father Kantembe Deputy Pastoral Secretary in the Archdiocese of Blantyre.
During this year, the faithful are to participate in a Bible marathon. “What will be happening is: one community is to start holding Bible activities within a week; after that week, it will be a turn of the other neighbouring community,” elaborated more Father Kuntembe.
The Bible year has also not spared the academia in Malawi as they have been challenged with writing thesis on topics from the Holy Scriptures.
The Catholic University of Malawi, the University of Mzuzu, Chancellor College and St Peters Major Seminary have been eyed to provide the brains behind the academic thesis on Bible topics in the country.
Testing the understanding of Bible on Catholic Christians, Bible quiz and Bible art competitions have been set to have geniuses of the precious Book emerge from dioceses of Malawi.
Catholics choirs are also tussling for the prize of ‘Best Choir’ through choir festivals that are to witness those blessed with sweet melodies of praising God waking away home with rewards.
Recollections, family prayers, radio and television programs are also on the menu for our souls to be fed during this Bible year.
As Catholics who are challenged that the Sacrament of Baptism they received is a propeller for the mission of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the World, this year provides that light for our lives as evangelisers of the Gospel - most importantly knowing and understanding the one who sends us on the mission.