St Francis Brothers Profess Permanent Vows

Brothers Paul Tseliso Ramosa and Calestus Phekane Pholo OFS made their permanent vows in the 3rd order of St Francis on April 19 at Mofumahali oa Lefatse (Regina Mundi)  Mazenod in the Archdiocese of Maseru. Mass was celebrated by Fr Leeto Mabope OFM from St Joseph the Worker in Sebokeng Mid Vaal, and concelebrated by Fr Patrick Khali Khoaele OMI, the Parish Priest of  Mofumahali oa Lefatse, Fr Francis Tsehla OMI, who is also serving in  Mazenod, and Fr Thokozani Masina SCP, the Parish Priest of Christ the  Priest in Motsekuoa in the diocese of Mohale’s Hoek.

Br Moabi Malemoha OFS, the minister of the local fraternity St Damiano Lesotho, presented the aspirants to the congregation after reading from the Gospel just before the homily.

In his homily, Fr Mabope OFM emphasised that as Christians, we should not approach the Church with personal agendas but rather to serve the Lord and adhere to His commands. He referenced the Gospel that recounts the journey to Emmaus, where the two disciples failed to recognise Jesus walking alongside them, as they expressed their expectation that Jesus would liberate them from the oppression of the Roman rule at that time. Fr Mabope remarked that many of us have encountered or met Jesus and have rejected Him because, like the two disciples, we have shaped our own image of Jesus or anticipated Him to conform to our desires.

He noted that when Jesus indicated that he was moving on, they invited Him in as darkness approached, and on this note, Fr Mabope urged the congregation to invite Jesus into their lives during times of darkness. He continued by stating that they only recognised Him when He broke the bread.

Fr Mabope stated that they returned to Jerusalem solely to inform the others about their encounter with Jesus. The other disciples disclosed that they had visited the tomb and discovered it to be empty. Fr Mabope mentioned that they too had anticipated finding the Body of Jesus in the tomb and felt disheartened upon discovering it empty. He remarked that Christians who attend church with certain expectations often do not heed the word and instead seek to promote their own agendas; when these agendas are not realised, they tend to withdraw.

Following the homily, brothers Pholo and Ramosa professed their permanent vows to emulate the founder, St. Francis of Assisi, and were presented with spiritual weapons and signed their vows in the presence of Fr Mabope OFM.

At the end of Mass, Fr Mabope expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and noted that this was his second visit to Mofumahali oa Lefatse. The Parish Priest, Fr Khali Patrick Khoaele OMI, affectionately known as Fr KK, also expressed appreciation to the 3rd Order of St Francis for hosting their historic event at the parish and thanked all the visitors who contributed to the occasion’s success.

The 3rd Order of St Francis of Assisi was established in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho in 2000 and has remained active to this day, welcoming both male and female Catholics.