Sacred Heart Retreat at MaJesu Parish, Maseru

Sacred Heart retreat MaJesu Parish

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – The Ten Parishes of the Archdiocese of Maseru conducted their annual Sacred Heart Sodality retreat at Roma Ha MaJesu from September 12th to 14th, 2025. This retreat was led by Fr Sylvester Thabelang Mothabeng, the chaplain of the Sacred Heart Sodality in the Archdiocese of Maseru and the Parish Priest of Our Lady of Assumption.

Various teachings and reflections were presented to remind the members of the Sodality of their dedication and their love to console the Heart of Christ, who sacrificed Himself to redeem and save us from the snares of the devil. Additionally, during this retreat, the aspirants were formally initiated as full members and were encouraged to possess the courage necessary to uphold their commitments.

The retreat concluded with the Sacrificial Mass on Sunday, September 14th, celebrating the Exaltation of the Cross, with Fr Sylvester Mothabeng serving as the main celebrant, concelebrated by Fr Thomas Letsepe OMI and Fr Francis Shopane OMI, both from Roma Parish.

In his homily, Fr Mothabeng reminded the congregation, which filled the Roma Parish church to capacity, that prior to Christ’s crucifixion, the cross was a symbol of humiliation for those who were executed upon it. He noted that when Jesus was crucified, those responsible believed they were shaming Him, unaware that this act would ultimately lead to Christ’s victory over the devil. He emphasised that Christ’s death on the cross transformed it into a symbol of our new salvation, akin to the Old Testament narrative where the Hebrews, bitten by snakes, were saved by gazing upon the serpent on the pole. Fr Mothabeng stated that by looking at the Cross, we are saved and restored to the love of God.

During this retreat, 75 aspirants were confirmed as new members, including the Minister of Social Development for the Kingdom of Lesotho, Hon. Pitso Lesaoana (MP), and the former Central Bank of Lesotho ambassador, Dr Mothae Maruping. Both of these dignitaries are members of Roma Parish.

Hon Lesaoana is the second Cabinet Minister to be confirmed as a member of the Sacred Heart Sodality, following the confirmation of Hon Nthati Moorosi (MP) as the Minister of Communications, Science and Technology earlier this year at Maria Maligrasia Parish.

The kingdom of Lesotho stands out as one of the few nations where Catholicism prevails over other religious denominations.