The Rosary is not superstitious – Bishop Kalumba

Bishop Valentine Kalumba, OMI, cautioned the Catholics of Livingstone against taking the Rosary as a superstitious tool. “Today many people, Catholics and none Catholics, put the Rosary in their vehicles as a means for protection [against road traffic accidents]. The Rosary is not superstitious”, stated the Bishop in his homily at St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Livingstone. He encouraged the Christians not just to take the Rosary as a neck chain, or something to hung in their vehicles, but to actually pray the Holy Rosary. In encouraging the faithful to honour Mary, the Bishop stated, “Do not just use the Rosary as a neck chain, Use it, don’t just hung it in the car” In praying the Rosary we are drawn to take after the hearts of Jesus and Mary.

The Local Ordinary equally drew the attention of the congregation to the discipleship of Mary; to continually take after the interior life of Mary. He invited them, to embrace virtues of Wisdom, Obedience, Perseverance, Vigilance and Humility. With such Marian examples, the Christian are called back to Jesus. “With a contemplative and searching heart, like that of Mary, we are certainly sure to find Jesus and keep him in our hearts”, continued the Bishop. The things that we learn by heart, as Mary did, help us to be strong in our faith.

Reflecting further during his homily, the Bishop cautioned the Christians against the habit of dwelling on the philosophy of “Double Blessings”, where people would want Sacramentals (religious articles) to be blessed more than once. “Only one blessing is sufficient, no need for double blessing”, highlighted the Bishop.

Before the celebration of the Holy Mass in honour of the Diocesan Feast, as Marian Procession took place in the City of Livingstone.

Today, Saturday 6^th July, 2019, the Church in Livingstone commemorated the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Diocese of Livingstone is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.