The Sisters of Mercy in Soweto, South Africa, sponsor a Skills and Nutrition Centre that provides monthly food parcels to over 500 households and has serviced well over 600 young adults in their sewing and computer programmes.

On the 7th of October this year, as part of the Opening of the Holy Door during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Sisters and Board Members of the Centre opened the doors of the St. Matthews Secondary School to nearly 400 of the participants in the nutrition programme.

The day began outside the “Holy Door” with an explanation of the Holy Father opening the Holy Door in Rome to declare the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Hymns were sung and a history of the doors opened by God in order to save humankind was given. Scripture was read in Zulu and Sesotho. This was followed by the blessing of the Holy Door and the participant guests with incense. Next came the opening of the Holy Door to the hall.  At the moment of entrance, there was a true feeling of joy and of being welcomed.

After entering the hall, the participant guests were blessed with holy water. Board member, Fr. Ben Mahlangu, OMI, then gave a talk on the topic of mercy and opening the door of our hearts to Christ.

The people of the eleven geographic areas served were prayed for in a special way. A member of each area held up the name of their area and all present prayed in silence for a few moments for the people of that area. The afternoon concluded with a meal befitting their cultures and an ice cream cone for dessert.

Marla Yeck rsm
South African Province