Mother of Mercy: A New Shrine for SA
The new shrine of the Mother of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg was officially opened by Archbishop Buti Tlhagale in April. Daluxolo Moloantoa found out why it was built in its location, and what purpose the shrine is intended to serve.
For many years, the dream of Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg of building an archdiocesan shrine divided the local Catholic community: many have fervently supported the idea and enthusiastically helped to raise funds for the project, but some critics have questioned the need for such a shrine and the expenditure required to pay for it.
In 2016, Archbishop Tlhagale, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, revealed a vision that had been persistently lingering in his mind: the creation of a shrine devoted to Our Lady, the Mother of Mercy. In April, the shrine in Magaliesburg, near the Cradle of Humankind, officially opened — suitably on the day that marked 30 years of South Africa’s democracy, and during a year designated by Pope Francis as the Year of Prayer. Thousands of pilgrims travelled from all over the archdiocese of Johannesburg and beyond to Magaliesburg, on Gauteng’s western periphery. The shrine now stands as a commanding symbol of Mother Mary’s indelible importance in our faith lives.
Still many Catholics have asked: Why do we need a shrine? And: Why build it in remote Magaliesburg, almost 70km from Jo’burg?
“It’s not only the archdiocese of Johannesburg that should have a shrine,” Fr Nkosinathi Nkabinde, rector of the Mother of Mercy Shrine, told The Southern Cross. “As a matter of fact, all dioceses in the world should have a local shrine to encourage or direct the people of God towards a more intimate relationship with God through Mary or with the help of her intervention.”
He added: “The Church is known as the ‘Mother’. Likewise, the Church should attempt to create a passage for all those who are in need of the aid of the Virgin Mary, the mother of all.”
Like the Ngome shrine in Eshowe diocese — the site of the reported apparitions of Our Lady to Benedictine Sister Reinolda May between 1955 and 1971 — the Mother of Mercy shrine is located in a rural setting, about 65km from Johannesburg, in the Mogale municipality on the borderline of the Gauteng and the North West provinces.
Magaliesburg’s landscape, the mountains, the natural vegetation, and tranquillity of the area were primary considerations when the shrine’s location was identified. “It is remote and serene, away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city,” Fr Nkabinde said. “Unfortunately and also fortunately, this distance forces one to be cut off from everything in the city and all that which occupies the minds of the faithful. This location is most suitable to encourage introspection and alone-time with God. It is peaceful and calm and offers pilgrims the opportunity to avoid the usual disturbances that come with life in the city.”
The priest referred to Mark 6:31, in which Jesus says: “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.” In our context, Fr Nkabinde said, “sometimes one has to leave the noise of town or city in order to have an experience with God and of God”.
Location’s spiritual benefit
The proximity to the Cradle of Humankind has a spiritual benefit. “It encourages one to think about the creation of humankind and God’s promise [of salvation]. To encounter the love and mercy of God, and to walk in it in the embrace of Our Lady, the Mother of Mercy, should be of great comfort to us; the serene nature of the shrine’s area more than likely will contribute to that,” the shrine’s rector said.
The Mother of Mercy shrine is a product of the hard labour of the faithful, donors, parish contributions, and many archdiocesan fundraising events hosted by the Friends of the Shrine Committee, which comprises Catholics who have volunteered to actively ensure that funds are secured to build, extend and maintain the shrine.
At present, the shrine consists of a multipurpose hall, which was blessed on the opening day in April. There is also a Stations of the Cross installation, a rosary garden, the pastoral centre, and ablution facilities. A chapel is yet to be erected.
“We are currently busy with the creation of a parking area. We will then attend to the need to enlarge the road entering the shrine from the bridge. The current road is quite narrow, which raises safety issues for our pilgrims,” said Fr Nkabinde, who is also the parish priest of the nearby St James church.
Processes are underway to explore new avenues to improve the shrine’s systems, and also to set up a board that will assist in the management and the running of the shrine efficiently and successfully.
The Friends of the Shrine Committee handles the bookings for groups wishing to spend time at the shrine. “Ever since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic, many individuals and groups from various parishes in and around the archdiocese have visited the shrine, in particular the pastoral centre, for day or weekend retreats. They have experienced the long walks reciting the rosary and the Stations of the Cross,” Fr Nkabinde said.
Shrine to be a welcoming refuge
Archbishop Tlhagale envisions the shrine as a welcoming refuge, shielding pilgrims from a world scarred by discrimination, hate and jealousy, a world where human hearts become induced to coldness. “For many of us who will make it a habit to visit this shrine of Magaliesburg, the purpose will be to experience a heavenly mother’s unconditional love again — even if we ourselves are old and our earthly mothers are elsewhere,” the archbishop said.
At the opening ceremony, Archbishop Tlhagale said: “This shrine will be made holy by the gathering of pilgrims who seek to experience God’s presence,” referring to Matthew 18:20: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
“This shrine will become a place of reconciliation; of mending broken hearts; a place of deep-seated peace; a place of spiritual healing; a place where small miracles will take place. This shrine will be a warm welcoming home away from home,” Archbishop Tlhagale said.
“The shrine will be a place, where with the help of Mother Mary, pilgrims will gather spiritual strength, renew their faith and sense the presence of God in their lives,” he said, explaining that “Mary was intimately involved in the mystery of our redemption”.
He added: “There is no doubt that she continues to be involved in the challenges of our daily lives.”
To book for groups email or call Christine on 083 408-0416.
Published in the July 2024 issue of The Southern Cross magazine
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