Christians at Our Lady of Victory Madisi Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been encouraged to be devoted to their Christian faith and to cherish the celebration of the Holy Mass.

The appeal has been made by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, following the Eucharistic Mass celebration of Corpus Christi.

Bishop Mwakhwawa celebrating the Eucharistic Mass of Corpus Christi at Madisi Parish

Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized that this year Corpus Christi, Christians at Madisi Parish should recognize the importance of Sacrament of Eucharist and develop a deep desire to receive and adore Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist.

“I have encouraged Christians here at Madisi Parish, as well as those across the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, about the importance of the Holy Mass and receiving Jesus in the Eucharist. When we receive him, he blesses us and sends us out to be a blessing to others,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

His Lordship Mwakhwawa and Madisi Parishioners, prayerfully adoring the presence of the Body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist

His Lordship has also called on the faithful at Madisi Parish to be generous in supporting the church and serve as a good example to other parishes.

“Madisi Parish was established years back, so it needs to engage in practices that other parishes can learn from, particularly in how to run church affairs,” Bishop Mwakhwawa added.

In his remarks Parish Chairperson Mr. Gabriel M’bobo stated that they are striving to encourage parishioners to generously contribute to the growth of the parish and to make attending Mass and receiving the Eucharist a consistent part of their spiritual lives.

During the celebration, Christians participated in a Eucharistic procession, praying and adoring the presence of the body of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, a procession which took about 1 hours and 20 minutes.

Christians participated in a Eucharistic procession at Madisi Parish

The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala has today called for deeper collaboration, a renewed focus on inclusivity, and improved communication among Catholic educational institutions in Malawi.

Speaking at the opening of a head teachers’ meeting at Maula Cathedral Hall, Archbishop Tambala outlined a vision for a more integrated and impactful Catholic education system.

The Archbishop emphasized the importance of mutual support, urging head teachers to not hesitate in seeking assistance from the Archdiocese when facing challenges or developing new initiatives.

A significant portion of his address centered on the shared understanding and practice of “Catholic education.” While acknowledging the diverse expressions within individual schools like Chabvala, Loyola, and others, he stressed the need for a common “material” or criteria, rooted in the Catechisms, that defines Catholic education across all institutions.

He has called upon schools to share their unique educational approaches, fostering a learning environment where all can benefit. “We now need you… to share with your Catholic Church, your way of education, of Catholic education,” he asserted, believing this collective knowledge would build a “very solid formation of our students’ matters.”

Archbishop Tambala addressing the gathering

Archbishop Tambala also unveiled plans for expanding the Catholic Church’s presence in education, particularly in primary education, where the Church’s significance has dwindled over the past two decades.

His Grace cited the excellent performance of the Selva School of Education but noted its limited reach, calling for an expansion. He also highlighted the importance of technical colleges.

A powerful appeal for inclusivity formed a key part of his message. Referencing a recent discussion in Italy with the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, the Archbishop shared concerns about whether Catholic schools were sufficiently reaching “the poorest people.”

His Grace has since urged the head teachers to critically examine how inclusive their institutions truly are, questioning if good performance comes at the cost of excluding those most in need, especially in rural and impoverished areas.

“Our education should not be elite for only a few people,” he emphasized, adding that opening more schools must be coupled with ensuring quality education for all.

Meeting in progress at Maula Parish Hall

Finally, Archbishop Tambala outlined strategic communication initiatives on which he expressed his anticipation for a unified website platform where schools can upload information, creating a central “internet window” for the public to access details about various Catholic educational institutions.

He said that this would streamline communication and reduce costs.

The Archbishop has also encouraged collaboration with the Archdiocesan radio station (Radio Alinafe), which is actively seeking content, to educate the public through media.

Archbishop Tambala concluded by reiterating that these were not mandates but “suggestions,” born from a desire to foster growth and address challenges collectively.

The Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Right Reverend Vincent Mwakhwawa, has called on Catholics to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit by deepening their missionary commitment through prayer, service, and unity in their daily lives.

The call has been made on Pentecost Sunday during a Eucharistic celebration at St. Bernadette Parish in Chitula, located in Kasiya on the outskirts of Lilongwe district, Malawi.

Rt. Rev. Vincent Mwakhwawa sharing his homily at St. Bernadette Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe

In his message to the Christians, Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized several keyways the faithful can contribute to the Church’s mission: praying for missionary efforts, giving generously toward church development, actively joining parish groups to use their spiritual gifts, participating regularly in Small Christian Communities, and being hardworking and responsible in their homes to help sustain the Church.

“The Holy Spirit empowers us to do more than worship — we are called to act, to give, to serve,” said the bishop. “Let the fire of Pentecost be visible in how we live, how we work, and how we come together as a community.”

He also underscored the importance of Small Christian Communities (SCCs) as the building blocks of vibrant parish life.

“God builds His Church through unity,” he said. “In small communities, we grow stronger in faith.”

Second Vice Chairperson of the Parish Council, Samuel Rajab, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the bishop’s visit and his uplifting message.

“We are deeply thankful for his visit. This is a huge boost for us,” said Rajab. “His encouragement, especially about SCCs, has rekindled our sense of mission and togetherness.”

By Brenard Marko Mwanza