This
year in Malawi, more than 100,000 children participated as protagonists in the
celebration of Missionary Childhood Day.
Missionary
Childhood Day coincides with the Solemnity of the Epiphany. At the local level,
the particular Churches organize the celebrations in different ways and at
different times. In Malawi, this year the Day was celebrated on Sunday, January
4, and saw broad and very active participation from dioceses and parishes.
Specific celebrations were organized throughout the country, in which numerous
bishops took part. The children actively participated as choir members,
readers, altar boys, and leaders of the assemblies, and they also enlivened the
moments of prayer with dances.
The
theme of Missionary Childhood Day echoes that chosen for World Mission Day
2026: “One in Christ, united in mission.”
In
all the celebrations, the celebrants reminded everyone that parents are called
to set a good example for their children, accompanying them and helping them to
find Jesus in their own lives. In each diocese, the bishops emphasized the
Day’s central message in various ways, often drawing inspiration from the
solemnity of the Epiphany.
In
the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, Archbishop George Tambala affirmed that all those
who hold positions of responsibility in society and in the family should be
like the “star” that guides children to God. In the Diocese of Karonga, Bishop
Mtumbuka invited children to be “stars” for one another, like the star that led
the Magi to the birthplace of the Child Jesus. In the Archdiocese of Blantyre,
Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa expressed his satisfaction with the way the
children led the day's liturgy, demonstrating their conscious participation in
the liturgical celebration.
In
the Diocese of Zomba, Bishop Alfred Chaima emphasized that prayer education is
an essential feature of a rich and grateful Christian life. Finally, the Vicar
General of the Diocese of Dedza expressed his satisfaction that, during this
year's celebration of World Missionary Childhood Day, the parishes of Kanyama
made very generous contributions to the Universal Solidarity Fund.
Article
from FIDES missionary news service of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Please remember the Pontifical Mission
Societies of the Diocese of Ogdensburg INC. when writing or changing your will.
