Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard Celebrates 25 years

by Erin Carelse · October 24, 2017

Benedictine Father Gérard Lagleder, president of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard, which is part of the Order of Malta. They care for the sick and dying and poor in the region of Mandeni, Eshowe

The Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard will be celebrating 25 years of service, caring for those most in need, in its community of Mandeni in Eshowe diocese.

The faithful are invited to join in the jubilee celebration on Saturday, October 28, at the care centre.

“One of the core purposes of the jubilee feast is to honour those who have committed themselves to serving the sick and dying, poor and neglected, orphaned and vulnerable children, and those infected and affected by HIV”, said Benedictine Father Gérard Lagleder, president of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard, which is part of the Order of Malta.

The celebration will start off with Mass at 9:30 with a reception of new members of the brotherhood.

The Celebrations: Bishop Kumalo and Grand Hospitaller

The main celebrant will be Bishop Xolelo Thaddeus Kumalo of Eshowe. A keynote speech will be given by the grand hospitaller of the Knights of Malta, Dominique Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel.

The Order of Malta’s commemorative medal for the 25th anniversary of the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard will be conferred to meritorious individuals, as well as the President’s Award to the most outstanding volunteer and employee.

Long-service certificates for employees of Blessed Gérard’s care centre will also be presented.

The children of the children’s home, pre-primary and crèche, as well as staff and volunteers, will present a programme of singing, dancing, sketches, and poems.

Lucky draws offer prizes such as a flat-screen TV worth R5000, a smartphone, a dinner set and more. Tickets will be available at the function at R100 each.

After the official entertainment programme, there will be a jumping castle and trampoline in the children’s home playground, and disc jockey Mthokozisi will transform the community centre hall into a disco for all ages.

About the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard

Founded in 1992 at Mandeni, the Brotherhood of Blessed Gérard provides a comprehensive and holistic system of care through its care centre, pre-primary school, children’s home, hospice, Haart clinic for Aids care, malnutrition clinic, poor sick fund, bursary fund, relief and social care projects, first aid and emergency service, and disaster relief.

The care centre is a multi-dimensional service hub that has, since its inception, provided free help and care for more than 9000 patients.

For more information contact Fr Gérard Lagleder on 082 492 4043. www.bsg.org.za