A Pilgrimage of the Heart: The Form 5 Mass Animation
By Frank Charles Mafungwe, SJ
At St. Peter Claver High School, the Call to Serve calls us to be “men and women for others.” This Ignatian tradition of Mass Animation is not merely a monthly event, but a spiritual exercise—a time to step out of ourselves and find God in our community.
For the Form 5 class of 2026, our journey began a week before the Mass. Moved by the spirit of Magis (doing more for Christ), every student contributed what they could. We gathered the “bread” for our neighbors: cooking oil, soap, diapers, rice, maize flour, and toiletries. These
simple gifts were our offering of love to those in need.
In a profound moment of grace, Fr. Pascal raised his hand to bless the necessities we had
collected. As the holy water fell upon the sacks of flour and boxes of soap, we were reminded that everything we have is a gift from God, meant to be shared with His people.
Finding God in Hombolo: Following the Mass, 35 students set out for the Hombolo Community Centre in Dodoma. Guided by our spiritual leaders, Glory Mollel and Vanesa Moshiro, we were welcomed by the Sisters of Mother Teresa.
Walking through the centre, we sought to see the face of Christ in the vulnerable:
- In the Infants: We visited the children’s ward, sharing in the silence of those abandoned or left by parents without means.
- In the Suffering: We met the elderly men and those with disabilities—the blind, the crippled, and those battling mental health challenges.
In Shared Joy: We spent time with the elderly women, not just as visitors, but as friends. We played drums and shared music, letting joy bridge the gap between us.
In a spirit of Gratitude: We concluded our pilgrimage by handing over our donations to the sisters and joining them in prayer.
This experience was a living Examen for our class. We returned with hearts full of gratitude for the health and life God has granted us. We were reminded that God is our protector in all seasons—both the good and the difficult. In serving the least of our brothers and sisters, we found the greatest treasure: the presence of God in all things.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (For the Greater Glory of God).