Mendi: Hundreds of Catholic Faithful from the three deaneries in the Diocese of Mendi comprising of Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces gathered for the first Diocesan Eucharistic Congress that was held from November 22-24, 2024.
(Group picture of the priests with Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap and Coadjutor Archbishop Clement Papa taken after mass on the Solemnity of Christ the King)
The program began on Friday November 22 with colorful processions from Mendi town by the three deaneries. The pilgrims braved the highlands heat with an array of colorful banners highlighting the theme and identifying the different parishes singing joyfully with pride of their Catholic Faith as they marched from Mendi town into the Diocesan Premises.
The processions took place at different intervals of the day; morning, midday and afternoon. Opening the processions were the pilgrims of the Central Deanery. The next deanery to arrive was the Eastern Deanery with the Western Deanery arriving in the afternoon.
(Mothers dancing to welcome the pilgrims into the Cathedral grounds)
Each of the processions had a Monstrance containing the Holy Eucharist carried by the deans that was given to each of the Deaneries at the opening of the year of the Eucharist earlier this year.
(Procession with the Monstrance into the Cathedral grounds before the opening of the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress)
The faithful were met by their Shepherd, His Lordship Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap at the Mary Mother of the Divine Shepherd Cathedral grounds who received the Monstrance from the deans and then took it to the altar before leading them in adoration of the Holy Eucharist.
In his address to the respective deaneries, Bishop Lippert OFM Cap welcomed the pilgrims to the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress.
“We are gathered here to celebrate the Holy Eucharist and this gathering is the first of its kind. At the beginning of the year when the Year of the Eucharist was launched, three Monstrances were given to the three deaneries to journey with the people. Jesus has journeyed with you in your families, parishes and outstations through the blessed sacrament present in the Monstrance.”
(His Lordship Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap during adoration)
The Bishop also invited everyone to pray for peace in the diocese and offer all their intentions and burdens to the Lord in order to fully participate in the Eucharistic Congress.
The opening Mass was held at 5pm to officially open the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress and had Fr Pius Hal, the Vicar General and Chancellor as the main celebrant.
Fr Pius shared a touching homily titled "Heaven Touches the Earth” and explained that we are in heaven when we participate in the Holy Mass.
(Fr Pius Hal giving his homily during the opening mass for the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress)
“When we attend mass, we go into the Upper Room to the banquet with Jesus. We can experience, see, and feel heaven while we are on earth. We should be aware of this, take pride in it, and carry the taste of heaven with us wherever we go after Mass."
The angelic choir and lively processions added that special touch to the celebration as everyone took part with reverence.
The day concluded with an evening Catechesis presented by Fr Pius Hal with the theme: Understanding the Holy Mass followed by adoration.
Activities for the second day began with a welcome performance by the youths that had everyone cheering followed by the highlight for the day: the ordination of three deacons.
(The three newly ordained deacons from left to right: Deacon Clement Tarmat OFM Cap, Deacon Jim Bikine OFM Cap and Deacon Paul Leme)
The three deacons were ordained by His Lordship Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap witnessed by the hundreds of pilgrims who looked on with admiration and joy.
In his homily, Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap stressed on the life of service with Jesus himself being the model of a servant leader.
“We are encouraged by Gospel to serve others in everything we do, just as Jesus did when he washed his disciples’ feet”
He encouraged the three deacons to serve the people of God in their ministry and journey in religious life.
Deacon Clement Tarmat OFM Cap and Deacon Jim Bikine OFM Cap belong to the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) while Deacon Paul Leme is a Diocesan.
Catechesis were presented in the afternoon by Fr, Filip Manikoski MSF, Fr Robert Gigmai and Fr Isaiah Timba with themes: The Eucharist and the Youth, Communion, Participation and Mission and The Eucharist in the Bible respectively.
(Fr Robert Gigmai during his Catechesis)
The second day concluded with an evening Catechesis by Sr Anna Pawia FMI on the theme: The real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The night also allowed for a few to share testimonies, confession and adoration.
The celebration of the Solemnity of Christ the King culminated the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress with Coadjutor Archbishop Clement Papa as the main celebrant. The day began with a procession around Mendi Town with the Holy Eucharist with hundreds of faithful ranging from the infants to the elderly taking part in the procession in their respective parishes singing, chanting and praying. Walking with the people were the Religious Sisters, Priests, Seminarians and the two Bishops. Following the procession was adoration led by Bishop Lippert OFM Cap before the Eucharistic celebration.
(Altar servers during the procession with the Holy Eucharist around Mendi town)
In a fitting homily for the day, Coadjutor Archbishop Papa spoke about the origins of the Feast of "Christ the King," initiated by Pope Pius XI. He highlighted the Pope's vision of promoting peace, unity, and harmony, especially in a world filled with corruption, wars, and injustices those days. He also emphasized that only through recognizing Christ as the King, we can restore the brokenness in our lives and communities and restore tribal flight areas into peaceful places. His message was a call to recognize the leadership of Christ in addressing the many challenges faced by our country and provinces today.
(Mothers taking part in the procession)
“The Feast Day of Christ the King should be a reminder to make Jesus the King of our personal lives, families, our communities and our country. Despite all the negativities of tribal fighting and violence tied to our two provinces, we must be the change. Instead of public violence, let’s celebrate and live out our faith in public like we did during the procession”
The Solemnity of Christ the King also saw 47 children receiving the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
(Children receiving Holy Communion from Coadjutor Archbishop Clement Papa and Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap)
In the announcements before the final blessing, Bishop Lippert OFM Cap thanked Coadjutor Archbishop Papa for joining them for the closing mass of the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress as well as all those who played a role towards the success of the event and encouraged everyone to go back home and live out full Christian lives by celebrating the Holy Eucharist.
Vicar General Fr Pius Hal thanked all the pilgrims for coming together to take part in the first ever Diocesan Eucharistic Congress and also acknowledged the Coadjutor Archbishop Clement Papa for making time in his busy schedule to join in the celebrations.
(The Catholic Faithful taking part in the procession around Mendi town)
Rector of the Mary Mother of the Divine Shepherd Cathedral Fr Sunny Mathew OFM Cap thanked the choir groups and the Clergy and Religious, Catechists and leaders from the three deaneries for preparing their pilgrims well to take part in the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress.
Everyone went home expressing sentiments of joy and looking forward to the National Eucharistic Congress that will be held in the Archdiocese of Mount Hagen from December 12-15.
(Young people take a group picture with Bishop Donald Lippert OFM Cap)
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