The grace and joy of the Pauline Bible Year 2020-2021 have reached the equatorial forest in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in the city of Kisangani.
The community of the Daughters of St. Paul, three aspirants and the Pauline Cooperators, responding to the invitation of Fr Maximilien Lobanga, pastor of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, prepared and led the Bible Week.
The large panel with the logo of the Biblical Year at the entrance of the Cathedral awaited the Christians who came to follow the intense programme of the week. At the opening Sunday Masses, there was the solemn enthronement of the Word of God. On each afternoon of the week, there were alternating Bible conferences, the initiation into Lectio Divina and its practice with Christians: in Swahili, Lingala and French, and the Holy Hour [prayer-adoration] according to the Pauline method. A very significant moment was the enthronement of the Bible in families and the permanent display of Bibles.
The African Sunday Eucharistic celebrations concluded the Bible week. In the afternoon, the Concert on the Word, prepared by the seven choirs of the parish, brought together many Bible lovers. The Word of God resounded through the powerful voices of young Congolese who, with rhythm and dance, issued an invitation: “Open the Bible and read…. Open the Bible and read …” Everyone stood up with the Bible in their hands, singing and shouting with joy.
