St Joseph Sodality: 3rd Interdiocesan Conference

The third interdiocesan conference for St Joseph’s sodality was held in the Diocese of Mariannhill from July 9 to 12, 2026. This event coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Sodality’s establishment in Mariannhill.

This year, 16 dioceses participated in the conference, compared to only 6 dioceses at the first IDC in Manzini and 12 dioceses in Witbank. Participants continued the conference with a visit to St Murumba Parish in Umbubulu, the original site of the Sodality’s establishment. The chaplains representing St Joseph’s Sodality from various dioceses were present and provided keynote reflections aimed at Catholic men, focusing on leadership and the virtues exemplified by St Joseph.

The closing Mass was officiated by Fr Bheki Shabalala CMM from the diocese of Witbank, who delivered a profoundly impactful homily:

“My dear brothers and sisters, God’s way is not our way. Yesterday we planned Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral. But God led us here, to St. Francis Hall. This is holy ground. This school gave us leaders with integrity — the late Robert Mugabe, Stephen Biko, Terror Lekota, Dr Nkosazana Zuma.

The Church has planted good seed through education and healthcare. Even the Mayor of Durban, Mr Cyril Xaba, acknowledged this. So if the Church has done so much good, why is our national life still wounded? Why are funds for the poor stolen? Why bribery, vote-rigging, dishonesty? And I’m not only talking about politicians. I’m talking about us. How do we pray on Sunday and cheat on Monday? How do we say “we can find a way around that law”?

On the 30th of June, I saw something that broke me. Law enforcement pretending to arrest illegal immigrants, only to take a bribe and let them go. The problem is not just “out there”. It’s in our hearts.

Today, Jesus tells us the Parable of the Sower. The same seed falls on different soils. The seed is good. The problem is the soil. For centuries, God’s Word has been sown in our SACBC countries. But being baptised is not enough. Being called Catholic is not enough. The Word must take root in how we live, how we vote, how we use money, and how we treat others. Some of us hear the Word, but money speaks louder. Some know what is right, but choose what is convenient. Greed, pride, ambition — they grow like thorns and choke the fruit. James 1:22 says: “Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.” But we can’t make ourselves good soil by strength alone.

We need grace. We need to pray: “Lord, prepare the soil of my heart. Break the stones of pride. Pull out the weeds of sin. Make me ready for Your Word.” The good news? God is not finished with us. Hard soil can be cultivated. A weedy heart can be cleaned. Through prayer, Eucharist, confession, and daily conversion, God can make us bear fruit again.

So the question today is not just, “Are you Catholic?” The deeper question is: “What kind of soil are you?” Let me close with a story. A father and son were planting a mango tree. The boy asked, “Dad, when will this tree bear fruit?” The father said, “Maybe many years from now. Maybe I won’t even be here to eat it.” The boy asked, “Then why plant it?” The father smiled, “Because someone planted the trees whose fruit we eat today.”

My brothers, maybe we won’t see all the change we hope for. But that doesn’t mean we stop planting. Plant honesty where there is corruption. Plant kindness where there is hatred. Plant truth where there are lies. Plant justice where there is abuse. Plant faith where there is despair. And teach your children to do the same.

When you live with integrity, men won’t need to be recruited to Sodality. They will see your life and ask to join. Like the sower in today’s Gospel — do not stop sowing because some soil is bad. Keep sowing. Keep planting. The change begins with me. The change begins with you. Amen.”

The next InterDiocesan Conference will be held in the Diocese of Francistown, Botswana.

Ite ad Ioseph!