Congolese nationals resident in Rome, Italy, have made a passionate plea to Pope Francis for the canonization of Blessed Anuarite and Blessed Bakanja during a colorful Eucharistic celebration in the Basilica of St. Peter. Last Sunday, Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass for the Congolese community-based in Rome. The Mass commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Congolese Catholic Chaplaincy in Rome.
Cardinal Frederic Etsou inaugurated the Congolese chaplaincy in 1994 following requests by Congolese nationals in Italy. Pope Francis celebrated the Mass according to the Zairean or Congolese Rite officially known as the “Congolese Missal for the Dioceses of Zaire.” Some observers remarked that the Sunday Mass reminded them of the First African Synod when the African Church got the nickname of a “Dancing Church.”
After the First African Synod, Pope Saint John Paul II, in his Exhortation, Ecclesia in Africa, reminisced, “The Church which is in Africa celebrated with joy and hope its faith in the Risen Christ during the four weeks of the Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops. Memories of this event are still fresh in the minds of the whole Ecclesial Community,” said the Pope. He would go on to add, “From the opening Solemn Eucharistic Liturgy which on, 10 April 1994, I celebrated in Saint Peter’s Basilica… Africa was present there, in its various rites, with the entire People of God: It rejoiced, expressing its faith in life to the sound of drums and other African musical instruments… That is why I myself greeted that moment of grace in the words of the Psalmist: ‘This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.’”
It was a particularly powerful endorsement from Pope Saint John Paul II.
Africa has two rites that are particular to Africa. There is the Ge’ez Rite approved by the Vatican for use by Catholics of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Then there is also the Zairean or the Congolese Rite. The Congolese Rite is a variation of the Roman Rite. This liturgical rite fits into Congolese culture and takes into account African life and culture.
The Rite encourages the participation and engagement of the congregation. Among other liturgical rituals and gestures, this engagement of the faithful takes the form of liturgical dance. Congregants move gracefully in Church as an expression of both of their faith and joy. Vatican News Department
