Catholic Media Unite to Lead Mauritius Trip for Papal Visit!

For the first time, South Africa’s leading Catholic media organisations are joining forces to host a shared event.

The Southern Cross, with Radio Veritas and Spotlight.Africa, is headlining a tour to Mauritius to attend the papal Mass with Pope Francis on September 9.

The newspaper has in the past collaborated with Radio Veritas to stage joint pilgrimages, but this is the first time the web-based Spotlight comes “on board”.

The tour to Mauritius from September 7-14 will be led by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, co-editor of Spotlight and director of the Jesuit Institute.

Southern Cross editor Günther Simmermacher said these collaborations are a sign that the Catholic media are working together fraternally to spread the Good News.

“The various Catholic media complement one another,” he said, “and the fact of the three logos being presented together on the programme gives concrete expression to that.”

Mr Simmermacher appears regularly on Radio Veritas and has contributed to Spotlight, while Fr Pollitt is also a frequent voice on the radio station and in The Southern Cross.

Radio Veritas takes charge of the distribution of The Southern Cross in Johannesburg.

“We are all interlinked and supportive of one another,” Mr Simmermacher said.

He noted that the trip to Mauritius is not billed as a pilgrimage, even though it includes elements of pilgrimage.

“We are going above all for the papal Mass, of course, and we will tour the important Catholic sites in and around the capital, Port-Louis. And Fr Pollitt will conduct a retreat at the beach, so there is a definite spiritual side to it,” Mr Simmermacher said.

“However, if you are in Mauritius, you probably also want to take advantage of sunshine, sea and beach by enjoying the many leisure activities on offer or just relax a bit, so we set aside a few days for that as well,” he said. “It’s the best of both worlds.”

Read a daily guide for the trip or contact or 076 352-3809 or go to www.fowlertours.co.za/mauritius for the downloadable itinerary with booking form.