St Lewis Bertrand parish celebrates its patron saint

by Kati Dijane · October 15, 2024

By Kati Dijane – From Seanamarena blankets to shweshwe outfits, Basotho hats and Swati, Tsonga and Sipedi attires, parishioners of St Lewis Bertrand in Payneville, Springs, in the Far East Rand Deanery in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, brightened their church with traditional attire and cheerful spirits.

They were celebrating the feast of their patron saint, whose feast day is remembered on 9 October. St Lewis Bertrand, born in Valencia in Spain in 1526, was a Dominican friar who did his missionary work outside of Europe and became known as the ‘Apostle of South America’.

The parish was graced by the presence of The Department of Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, headed by Sister Marizete Garbin, which is currently embarking on pastoral visits across the archdiocese to promote the plight of migrants. Themed “God walks with His people”, this is the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which Father Raphael Ntlou OP, the parish priest, highlighted throughout the Mass. During his homily, Father Ntlou added that people were earthly migrants on a pilgrimage to our heavenly home. “Often, against our wishes, we are forced to leave our homelands for various reasons to become refugees in other places.”

The Dominican priest also added that from the beginning of time, God had revealed himself to be on the move and walk with his people. “You’ll remember in the Garden of Eden God calling for Adam, which shows his search for humanity’s relationship with him.”

Father Ntloualso pointed to the story of Abraham leaving his home to go to a foreign land, thus beginning a journey of faith and migration, according to Genesis 12: 1-3.

The parish was also visited by representatives of St Rose of Lima, now in the Diocese of Witbank.

Read: https://www.scross.co.za/2024/02/archbishop-buti-tlhagale-consecrates-st-rose-of-lima-hands-it-over-to-witbank-diocese/

Food and a family affair heightened the festivities, with Father Ntlou expressing his joy at seeing his parishioners celebrating together.