Johannesburg (South Africa). On 25 March 2022, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the staff of the Holy Mary Nursery School and the Salesian Cooperator Aspirants of Fine Town, Johannesburg, spent a day of retreat in preparation for Easter on the Black Madonna Hill in Walkerville, praying for peace in Ukraine, in communion with the whole Church.

The day was organized and animated by Sr. Maria Nguyen, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians of Blessed Laura Vicuña Community of Johannesburg, in the Province of Our Lady of Peace (AFM). The twelve participants began the retreat by retracing the Way of the Cross along the hill, meditating on the suffering of Jesus, which continues in the lives of people today, especially the Ukrainian population and other peoples of the world who are suffering because of war.

Arriving at the top of the hill, before the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Joseph Nguyen, a Salesian of Don Bosco, there was the opportunity to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, to live a time of Adoration, and to pray the Rosary together. During adoration, the prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Marya for Ukraine and Russia was said.

In his homily, Fr. Joseph invited the participants to do God’s will in daily life, “Mary said ‘yes’ to the Lord for Jesus to become incarnate in her womb. Imitate her.”

The day ended with a conference on Divine Mercy and with the prayer of the Chaplet, led by Sr. Jakuba Wasilewska, Sister of the Merciful Jesus. Thanks also to the care of the places, which a local person is attending to so that the pilgrims can express their devotion to Mary, the participants were able to experience an intense day of prayer and hope for the gift of peace.

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