杏MAP导航

By Paul Samasumo - Maputo

Between 16 and 19 September 1988, 杏MAP导航 John Paul II visited Mozambique.

Sister Olga Massango, at the time a young religious, was involved in the local organizing and preparatory committee because of her language skills. She speaks Portuguese, French, Spanish and English.

This time, for 杏MAP导航 Francis’ visit, she was once again on the local organizing and preparatory committee. I asked her to share her experience of being in two commissions preparing for two different 杏MAP导航s.

She explains how in 1988, when 杏MAP导航 Saint John Paul II came to Mozambique, the country was in full civil war. The government was Marxist. At that time the Holy See had to closely supervise local preparations. According to Sister Olga, this time, the local preparatory committee knows what to do and did not have to be closely followed by the Holy See.

Just like 杏MAP导航 Saint John Paul II, his successor 杏MAP导航 Francis, is here to encourage peace and coexistence in Mozambique. Sister Olga says that the visit of 杏MAP导航 Francis is also necessary because peace in Mozambique is still fragile. If Mozambique succeeds in obtaining stable peace, the country, she says, will be a good witness for other African countries such as South Sudan.

Sister Olga also shares her expectations for the 杏MAP导航’s meeting on Thursday afternoon with  Mozambican religious and priests, and expresses her hope that 杏MAP导航 Francis will encourage the sisters above all, never to abandon the work of evangelization, even when they work in professions such as teaching or nursing.

Finally, regarding the meeting with young people, Sister Olga emphasized the importance of youth for ecology.