MAGiS09 Africa was such a success!!!

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News from Ethiopia!

“Dear all, I strongly believe that the MAGiS 09 was very successful; we were very close in spirit to all of you”, writes Viviane Rasoanirina DHM, who is involved in the MAGiS program in Ethiopia. Due to financial constraints, MAGiS Ethiopia was unable to send pilgrims to MAGIS’09 in Nairobi last August, but many good things are happening there. Viviane adds, “…The provincial of the SJ (Society of Jesus) in East Africa has appointed Abba Groum (Fr. Groum Tesfaye, SJ) as Chaplain of the MAGiS in Ethiopia since four months now… very big step. We have regular monthly meeting, and recently we had a 5 day retreat.” Viviane’s experience in Ethiopia is that while it is not always easy to start something, the MAGiS is growing very well now and, “…it is a spirituality that answers to the needs of the young people…” MAGiS Ethiopia is part of the emerging and growing MAGiS network in Africa. We pray for all our friends in Ethiopia. AMDG!

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MAGiS09 Africa was graced with the presence of His Lordship Bishop Kamau, Auxilliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Nairobi, as the main celebrant at its closing gathering yesterday.

The Bishop was later presented with a MAGiS09 Africa T-shirt and a small Pot as a sign of appreciation.
His Eminence John Cardninal Njue sent his apologies and Love to the MAGiS09 Africa participants.

Dear friends,
It is with immense joy that I share with you the news of the great start to the MAGiS'09 Africa program! Pilgrims from 12 nations: Poland, Hungary, Burundi, Tanzania, Germany, Mauritius, Malta, Zimbabwe, Australia, Ukraine, Cameroon and Kenya-were treated to a beautiful welcoming ceremony at the Co-Operative College, Karen, by the multi-talented David Ngigi - followed by the opening Mass, presided by Fr. Fratern Masawe SJ, Moderator of the Jesuit Superiors of Africa and Madagascar.
Fr. Masawe was presented with his MAGiS'09 Africa t-shirt just after he gave the final blessing.

Monday, 10th August, marked the second day of the opening Ignatian gathering-international experiment groups met for the first time and each received an 'African pot', as a symbol of the life-giving role of the pot in daily African life.

Pilgrims arrived in the 5 experiment locations in time for lunch on Tuesday 11th August, and shared life and friendship with each other until the 18th August, when they returned to Karen for 2 days of the closing gathering and closing Mass on 20th August-then followed the cultural festival in the evening!
Blessings,
Allen. (Coordinator MAGiS09 Africa)

Gathering as MAGiS, our hearts & minds are in union with friends & companions everywhere. Here’s a elaboration on the MAGiS’09 Africa theme:

"Dancing With God In The African Pot"
Dancing: this is an important aspect of the African culture. Dancing is done during all occasions; during times of joy, celebration, and sorrow. In the African culture, one does not dance alone but with a partner or community. In MAGiS09 Africa, like any other African dance, we are all invited to be participants in the ‘dance’, to reach out to all mankind, with the aim of glorifying God with our togetherness.

With God: In the African culture, there has to be an instrument player, song bird and participants to every dance. In MAGiS09, God has invited everyone to be each of these. There are dancing partners in almost every dance. This is no wonder why we are dancing with God…He who for all distinct purposes created us in His image and likeness.

In an African Pot: In the African culture, the pot is the source of food, hence the source of nourishment and life. Usually molded from clay (fragile) and set through fire to harden it for endurance, the pot is used for preparation of individual, family, and community meals, and should be well taken care of.