Visiting Montligeon Prayer Groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo

20 April 2022

Montligeon en République démocratique du Congo 2022
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Send by mail Imprimer

The Rector of the shrine Montligeon, Fr. Paul Denizot together with Fr. Guillaume d’Anselme, chaplain at the shrine, travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in February 2022 in order to meet with as well as initiate new Montligeon Prayer Groups.

The Montligeon Prayer Groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo

“A Church with a thousand faces”, such is the reality that the fathers discovered during their trip. In February 2022, they travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo to meet with, and offer their support to, the Montligeon Prayer Groups in Kinshasa, Boma and Matadi.

They also paid a visit to the diocese of Mbuji-Mayi, twined with the diocese of Sees*, to present talks on the Fraternity and support initiating Montligeon Prayer Groups. Furthermore, they were received by Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa, by the bishop of Boma, Msgr. Mbimbi Mbamba, and by Msgr. Kasanda, Bishop of Mbuji-Mayi.

The spiritual Fraternity of Montligeon is established in Benin, Cameroun, the Republic of Central Africa, Congo Brazzaville, Congo DRC, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles and Togo. It was initiated in Congo DRC in the 1980ies, rooting in the dioceses of Kinshasa, and subsequently that of Boma, Budjala, Kisantu, Lisala, Luisa, Matadi.

The deceased are not dead, but living

“The Fraternity is booming in Africa”, observed Fr. Paul Denizot. “Grounded on cultures where death is a component of life. Obviously, like anywhere, death remains fearsome yet it is accepted. When someone dies, the whole community comes and wakes his or her mortal remains; one eats, cries, sing, and prays beside the corpse. Christians do not speak of “dead” as such but of “deceased” for, in the Christian faith, the “dead are not dead” but living.

Indeed the African traditions of the time-honored ancestors provided fertile grounds for the Catholic faith to root and develop. It incorporated the beauty of such a tradition. It merely sifted and discarded original magical practices of the latter so as to bring the unheard Christian hope to its accomplishment. Honoring one’s ancestors leads to the communion of Saints in all the languages, peoples and nations.”

(*Montligeon is part of the French diocese of Sees.)

Mary is the Mother of all the Fraternity members

“We visited the DRC in order to show our support to the Montligeon prayer groups there; yet, it was they who cheered us by their dynamism”, acknowledged both chaplains in wonder. “I was bowled over when I realized that we really are but one Fraternity, despite country boundaries”, confesses Fr. Paul, “it was especially substantial when we were taken to the Marian shrine of Mbuji Mayi. For Mary is the mother in Montligeon just as She is the Mother in Africa. In contemplating Mary’s motherhood over humankind, we really get to grasp that we are indeed brothers and sisters.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most read posts

Notre-Dame Libératrice

Prayer to Our Lady of Montligeon

Our Lady of Deliverance, Have compassion on all our departed,Especially those who are most in need of the Lord’s mercy.Intercede for all those who have gone before usAnd may the purifying love of God lead them to full deliverance.May our prayer, united with the prayer […]

Read post

Resurrection, reincarnation, what’s the difference?

Reincarnation or metempsychosis are trendy in our Western societies. These beliefs steeped in Buddhism and Hinduism confess an afterlife and a righteousness that rewards our acts at the end of our earthly life. This assertion is shared by the Christian faith in the resurrection. However, […]

Read post

To see also

Inscription à
la fraternité

>

Continue reading

Angels and demons, what role do they play?

The Church has always recognized the existence of angels and demons. Yet, what incidence do they have in our lives? Can a demon influence us and bring us to do evil? Can a good angel protect us and help us do good? Do good angels […]

Lire l'article

Do we have to go to purgatory prior to entering Heaven?

Do we have to go to purgatory prior to entering Heaven?  A frightful perspective as we imagine purgatory to be a place of tremendous suffering. Yet it is a kind of “patching up” after death. What is it about? Behind such a question often hides […]

Lire l'article
...Judicare vivos et mortuos

Is purgatory a truth of the catholic faith?

Purgatory remains unheeded as far as the 21st century is concerned. Who still talks of purgatory nowadays? Is it real? Is purgatory a truth of the catholic faith? Guidelines by Fr. Paul Denizot. Nowadays, talking about purgatory is no easy task. Priests seldom preach on […]

Lire l'article
Subscribe to the newsletter