Assumption and consecration of Lesotho celebration at Thaba Bosiu

Assumption Pilgrimage at Thaba Bosiu

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – Is it merely a coincidence that the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15, 1865, and 85 years later, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the same date as the Assumption of our Blessed Mother into heaven?

The Catholic faithful observe this day as a time for Mary’s divine intercession and protection over the mountain Kingdom, as well as the solemnity of the Church’s celebration of the Assumption of our Lady into heaven, as declared by Pope Pius XII 75 years ago.

Although many Catholics may not be aware of this historical coincidence, there are those who are informed and consistently commemorate this event on the plateau of Thaba Bosiu on a Saturday close to August 15.

Since 2015, they have been making pilgrimages to this historic plateau and have welcomed Fr Lucius Mpho Setipe, the director of the Parliament liaison office, as their spiritual director.

This pilgrimage involves climbing the mountain while doing the Stations of the Cross to reflect on the passion of our Lord, who saved us on the cross. At the entrance of the plateau, there is a small cave where exorcism prayers are recited to drive out the evil spirits that disturb the peace of the Basotho.

A Mass is held at the first rectangular house of King Moshoeshoe I, and after the Mass, pilgrims set up a St Joseph table where all the food brought is placed, blessed by the Priest, and shared among the pilgrims. Following the breaking of bread together, the pilgrims recite the Holy Rosary while walking around the plateau.

This plateau, shaped like a cross, contains significant heritage sites, including the spring of King Moshoeshoe I and his first wife, Queen Mamohato. It is said that on August 15, 1865, a Boer named Louw Wepener was attacking Thaba Bosiu. In his moment of desperation, Moshoeshoe I sought the assistance of Catholic missionaries: Bishop Allard OMI, Fr. Joseph Gerard OMI, and Br. Bernard OMI, along with the Holy Family sisters, to help him defeat Wepener.

The missionaries informed King Moshoeshoe I that they possessed neither an armoury nor any magical means to assist him in overcoming his adversaries. They recommended that he permit them to consecrate his territory to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to which he consented. Subsequently, Bishop Allard consecrated Basutoland to the Mother of God, and on that very day, Louw Wepener was defeated and killed at Thaba Bosiu.

In 1988, Pope John Paul II also consecrated Lesotho to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in 2024, the Archbishop of Maseru consecrated the nation in the presence of the Royal family.