The third Day’s theme was from Lk 1:34, “How can this be...?”- Challenges in Mary’s Life and Our Life. This was the climax of the congress as the Day was marked by an approximately 10 kilometre pilgrimage to Resurrection Garden, a place of prayer, one of its kind in Africa. Over 850 congregants walked in groups of 20s, praying the Rosary and singing Marian Hymns.
On arrival, the congregants were welcomed by the priest in charge, who told them, “To pray is to listen to God, and let’s not be tired of prayer because God answers in his own time.” This was followed by a talk on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and everyone had an opportunity to make individual confession.
Holy Mass was celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal John Njue, who expressed his close relationship with the Salesians of Don Bosco and thanked them for organizing the Marian Congress.
Later a presentation on the history of the Resurrection Garden was given to the participants. This special place of prayer was the realization of the late Cardinal Maurice Otunga, who dreamed of having a place only for prayer. He is now on his way to sainthood. He is buried in the Resurrection Garden. Before dinner, there was the Marian Serenade led by the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Choir and other groups. After the good night talk, all went to their place of rest.
The last and final Day’s theme was “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord” Lk 1:38. Acceptance of God’s Will in Mary’s Life and Our Life, and the symbol of the Day being “Footsteps” of Jesus and Mary.
The Lectio Divina was on the same theme, which stressed saying Yes to God followed by arising, setting out and going with haste to encounter other people who need our services, and putting the needs of others first just like Blessed Virgin Mary did when she went to visit Elizabeth. The message was, “We are going out. Are we ready to go out and serve? Where do you want to start?
The main speaker, Rev. Prof. Clement Majawa, spoke on the theme of “Acceptance of God’s will in our Lives.” He emphasized to the congregants the need to be informed, formed and transformed by the truths of the Bible as they go out to serve.
The concluding Mass was celebrated by the Provincial of AFE Province, Fr Simon Asira Lipuku, who in his homily said, “Don Bosco had a very profound devotion to Mary Help of Christians.”
In his closing remarks Fr Alejandro Guevara thanked the Salesians and congregants who made the congress successful and urged all to continue with Don Bosco’s dream of proclaiming Mary Help of Christians.
Every participant and all groups were presented with a souvenir. Marian Congress 2023 concluded with a shared lunch in a convicial atmosphere.
