Pilgrimage to Bethel Parish in Lesotho

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – Bethel Parish in Lesotho takes great pride in being home to the first Mosotho Saint, Eulalia Malebaka Mokhosi, affectionately known as MaGabriel, Servant of God. Established in 1909 in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this Parish holds a significant place in the local Christian community.

Servant of God Eulalia Malebaka Mokhosi is believed to be among the earliest Christians associated with this Parish. Before the establishment of Bethel Parish, she was part of St. Gabriel Parish, where she earned the name MaGabriel, which translates to Mother of Gabriel. It is said that she traversed the Senqu River on foot to attend Holy Mass at St Gabriel and that she could walk in the rain without getting wet. Her fields were safeguarded by sacramentals, and she reportedly never faced any adverse weather calamities.

Currently, Bethel Parish is actively working towards promoting this esteemed Mosotho Christian for sainthood within the Catholic Church. Each year, during the first weekend of March, a pilgrimage is held to her grave at Tlokoeng Phamong. On March 1, special guests from South Africa, including Fr Joseph Wilson MSC and Mr Stephen Manciocchi, who collaborates with Fr Wilson, attended the pilgrimage. Fr Wilson is renowned for his family healing ministry in Pretoria, where he educated pilgrims on the use of sacramentals and the significance of healing through forgiveness, sincere confession, and prayer for those who persecute Christians.

A Holy Mass was celebrated during the pilgrimage, officiated by His Excellency Joseph Sephamola OMI, President of the Lesotho Catholic Bishops Conference, and concelebrated by Bishop John Joale Tlhomola SCP, Deputy President and Bishop of the Diocese of Mohale’s Hoek. Pilgrims from the dioceses of Leribe, Maseru, Mohale’s Hoek, and Qacha’s Nek participated in this significant event. The next day, Fr Joseph Wilson MSC and Mr Stephen Manciocchi conducted a similar healing service at Bethel Parish.