It was a night of prayerful singing. Not only for the hundreds who attended but also for the upcoming South African national elections on May 29.
The attendants of Friday night’s all-night prayer vigil, organised by the Pretoria Archdiocese Catholic Church Choirs Music Association (PACCCMA) at St Anne Church in Atteridgeville, not only prayed for themselves and for the elections but for fellow vigil attendants tasked with the most important task to ensure the success of the elections.
Mr Sy Mamabolo, the Independent Elections Commission (IEC) chief electoral officer is not only Catholic, but an ordained deacon too.
Shortly after the beginning of the service, Deacon Mamabolo gave a short report on the state of the elections, and he also prayed for the success of the much-anticipated elections.
“We pray for our country, as we prepare for the elections. We pray for honest elections. Most humbly, we implore you our Heavenly Father that you turn your eyes of mercy towards our country during this time,” he said.
The four priests presiding over the event, themed “Sing and Make Music from Your Heart”, namely Frs Tshepang Dithipe, Sebina Komane, Mandla Makhanya, Pheto Matlala and Victor Ngwenya, each laid their hands on Deacon Mamabolo and prayed for him.
Each of the four priests gave a presentation on a topic aligned with the night’s musical theme. Fr Dithipe, who is the youth chaplain in the Archdiocese of Pretoria, led the Holy Hour of Adoration, and Fr Ngwenya conducted the healing service.
The auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Pretoria, Bishop John Selemela presided over an early morning Mass service to end a marathon night of prayer and praise.
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