Youth Pilgrimage to Fatima Shrines in Lesotho

By Bokang Tsoanamatsie – Motivated by the sixth apparition of Our Lady to the three young Shepherds of Fatima, four Shrines dedicated to Our Lady have been established across Lesotho in four dioceses. Each year in October, these dioceses embark on pilgrimages to honour Our Lady through the Holy Rosary, participating in a Sacrificial Mass and the Sacrament of Penance.

This year, as in previous years, the youth from the Archdiocese of Maseru undertook a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima at Ha Ramabanta on the 11th of October.

This youth pilgrimage comprises Catholic high school students, youth sodalities from various parishes within the Archdiocese, and other young individuals.

The event commenced with the recitation of the Rosary, which took place from Lekhalong-la-Nkesi to the Parish, covering a distance of approximately 2 kilometres. The youth were led by Archbishop Tlali Gerard Lerotholi of Maseru, the Shrine administrator Fr Lebohang Bereng OMI, assistant priest Fr Khahliso Moloi OMI, and other priests from the Archdiocese. The youth took turns reciting the four Mysteries of the Rosary.

A reflection on the Sacrament of Penance was the focus of the day, prior to the administration of the Sacrament to the hundreds of youth who participated with great dedication.

The pilgrimage concluded with  Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Lerotholi. During the Mass, one could observe the inner peace and joy of the youth, evident in their selfless participation and the joy expressed in their singing of hymns, particularly Marian hymns.

Conversely, the youth from Mokhotlong within the diocese of Qacha’s Nek also took part in the Holy Rosary pilgrimage in their district, due to the considerable distance from their diocesan Marian Shrine of Our Lady of Hermitage. These youth visited and prayed with prisoners in their district.

October marks the final month of Fatima for the three little Shepherds, during which the miracle of the sun occurred, and Baby Jesus along with St Joseph appeared with Our Lady to bless the world.