Lesotho Marks 200 Years with Year-Long Pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary

by Daluxolo Moloantoa · February 2, 2024

Four young women in Lesotho have come together to organise a year-long pilgrimage in honour of Mary Immaculate. The four, namely Thuto Lucy Matobo, Katleho Tlali, Puseletso Theko and Mamaliela Qhalehang, are all members of the Sodality of the Daughters of Mary (Bana-ba-Maria) in Lesotho.

The pilgrimage is intended to coincide with the 200 years of Lesotho celebrations, which will take place throughout the year to mark the bicentennial anniversary of the Southern African country also known as the Mountain Kingdom.

The four ladies previously organised the re-consecration of the land-locked Southern African country to Mary Immaculate on July 8 last year. The event was attended by the country’s King Letsie III, his wife Her Majesty Queen Masenate Mohato Bereng Seeiso, Prince Bereng Seeiso and his wife Mabereng Seeiso, who are all Catholics.

Bl Joseph Gerard

The Lesotho royal family’s foundation in the Catholic church is rooted in the open welcome that the nation’s founder King Moshoeshoe gave to Catholic missionaries Bishop Jean Francois Allard, Blessed Fr Joseph Gerard and Br Pierre Bernard in 1862.

From this initial welcome, the missionaries, in particular Fr Joseph Gerard went ahead to establish a Catholic presence across the country, with the pinnacle of this foundation being a mission station near Maseru, which ultimately became the university town of Roma today.

Further down the royal bloodline, King Moshoeshoe’s great-great-grandson, Archbishop Emmanuel Mabathoana became the first black bishop of the Catholic Church in Southern Africa.

“We are going to have a twelve-month programme travelling around the country. We will be praying 1000 Hail Marys in twelve parishes which are all named after the Virgin Mary,” spokesperson of the four Thuto Matobo said.

According to Lesotho’s historical records, King Moshoeshoe had a profound connection to the Virgin Mother.

“The statue of Mary, and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate cross carried by Blessed Joseph Gerard attracted King Moshoeshoe so much, that during the Battle of Seqiti (during the Boer War), he sought refuge from the war for his Basotho nation by consecrating the Nation to her in the presence of Blessed Joseph Gerard, Bishop Jean Francois Allard and Br Pierre Bernard. Even though King Moshoeshoe was not yet baptised, he expressed his love and appreciation for Our Lady. He fell in love with Mary at his first sight of her statue,” Marino said.

Lesotho Re-Consecrated to Mary Immaculate in Historic Ceremony

All four of Lesotho’s dioceses have been consecrated to Mary. Moreover, the majority of the country’s parishes have been named after her.

“People don’t know that. So to honour that, we will go around praying and teaching people about this important history. This is our unique way to contribute to the larger bicentennial celebrations by making her known and propagating her story and the rosary,” Matobo said.

Twelve parishes across the four dioceses will be visited. At the end of the year, a big closing ceremony will be held at a church yet to be disclosed.

The main focus, according to Matobo, will be to commemorate the role of the Catholic church in the founding and development of Lesotho. This is particularly in remembering the role that the Virgin Mother has played in the shaping of the country.

“What we will be praying for is to thank Our Lady for being a mother to the Nation for 200 years. We will also be praying for healing for our country and to ask her to intercede for our country moving forward into the future,” she said.

The opening Mass for the pilgrimage takes place on 3 February at the Ha ‘MaJesu Church in Roma.

For further details on the pilgrimage, please contact: Thuto Lucy Matobo +266 5847 9119, Katleho Tlali +266 5950 1656 Puseletso Theko +266 5851 9814 Mamaliela Qhalehang +266 5905 2094