By Daluxolo Moloantoa, pics by Clement Menyuko – A vibrant atmosphere of faith, unity, and celebration filled the grounds of Loreto School in Queenswood on Saturday, 29 November 2025, as the Archdiocese of Pretoria’s Marriage & Family Life Ministry hosted its annual Archdiocesan Family Day Celebration.
Held under the theme “Families United in Hope & Joy,” the day brought together families from across the archdiocese for prayer, formation, and joyful fellowship.
The morning opened with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, drawing families into quiet reverence and setting a prayerful tone. This was followed by an insightful address from Auxiliary Bishop John Masilo Selemela, who reflected on the spiritual significance of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
He emphasised that the Jubilee is a sacred invitation to renewal—of faith, mercy, and relationships—especially within the family. Bishop Selemela also spoke on the qualities of a healthy and holy family life, reminding all present that the home remains the Church’s beating heart.
Families then made their way to the adjacent Christ the King Church for the celebration of the Holy Mass, presided over by Archbishop Dabula Mpako and concelebrated by Bishop Selemela.
In his homily, Archbishop Mpako reflected on the vocation of the family as a living sign of hope in the world. He encouraged parents, couples, and children to nurture unity, joy, forgiveness, and fidelity, grounding their relationships in Christ as part of their Jubilee call to renewal.
During the Mass, a special prayer was offered for couples and for children, asking God’s blessing upon marriages, households, and young people who look to their families as their first teachers in faith.
A particularly moving moment followed when certificates were presented to couples celebrating significant marriage anniversaries. Some marked five, ten, twenty-five, and fifty years—while one elderly couple received warm applause for their extraordinary sixty years of marriage.
To honour this milestone, the couple were presented with a papal acknowledgement in the form of a framed certificate signed by Pope Leo XIV.
Another spiritual highlight of the day was the Family Pilgrimage Experience, during which the faithful could view and pray before the relics of Blessed Benedict Daswa, South Africa’s first beatified martyr. Many expressed how deeply they were touched by this encounter.
After the liturgical celebrations, the event unfolded into an atmosphere of joyful festivity. The school grounds buzzed with fun and games, laughter, and community conversation.
A range of stalls offered food, rosaries, ice cream, crafts, and other devotional and family-friendly items, creating a lively market ambience. Families picnicked under gazebos, shared meals, browsed handcrafted goods, and joined in activities designed for all ages.
Throughout the day, what shone brightest was the strong sense of togetherness—families reconnecting, friendships growing, and a shared spirit of hope anchoring the celebration. The event truly embodied its theme, revealing what families can become when they gather in faith: communities united in hope, strengthened by joy.
As the sun set on this memorable day, participants left with renewed gratitude for their families, enriched by shared prayer, fellowship, and the grace-filled spirit of the 2025 Jubilee Year.
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