Mission trip diary
> See photos and stories of Terry's trip <

The Church in Africa "has specific problems that require adequate and appropriate solutions in keeping with the African context. It must overcome certain challenges, such as sects, Muslim extremism, at least in certain countries, and economic underdevelopment," without neglecting the fact that "for a profound evangelizing mission, it is important that the Church in Africa resolve the thorny problem of financial resources and implement an incisive pastoral program." (Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, 15 July 2004 - see the whole message)

On July 5 - 9, 2004, Terry Modica taught two courses at St. John the Baptist Major Seminary in Malawi, Africa: ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA (On the Eucharist in its Relationship to the Church) and ROSARIUM VIRGINIS MARIAE (Rosary of the Virgin Mary). Afterward, they were broadcast to a million listeners of Radio Maria!

The Lord opened the door to make it possible, through a grant and donations from the readers of the Daily Reflections, praise God! In addition to providing these courses to the seminarians and their professors, Mons. Joseph Kimu (seminary rector and vicar general of the diocese) invited priests, religious, catechists, and interested lay Catholics from his diocese and neighboring dioceses. In all, there were 125 participants.

Listen to how it affected one of the seminarians:
"The Lord should bless you again! AGAIN because I know there are a lot of people that have seriously asked the Lord to bless you for whatever marvellous work you do in this Gospel teaching. I am one of your keenest readers of the Daily Reflections and I should remark here that they are more than all the commentaries of the Bible put together. They are a complete commentary for every Priest, Deacon and the laity in service for the Church. I always use your messages in the Reflections for a Daily Programme on RADIO MARIA MALAWI that is situated within the campas of St. John the Baptist Major Seminary in the Mangochi Diocese. You were once here and you conducted us a workshop on the Rosary and the Eucharist, when I was a Deacon. Now as a priest I find what you write so enriching to me but also to other Christians out there who may not be able to surf your message through the Internet. I use Radio Maria in a programme called 'Mau a Mulungu a Lero' - God's word Today at Mass. Certainly this is quite a good way of reaching your message far and wide.
   With the Lord's Blessings,
   Fr. Israel Madziakaphwa (Aug. 7, 2005)

The seminary is in Mangochi (see red star on map). Malawi lies in GMT +2, the same central African time zone as South Africa. It is one hour ahead of central European time, seven hours ahead of Eastern US time and ten hours ahead of Western US time.

My mission trip is during their cooler season (May to October), which is very comfortable.

The national language is Chichewa. English (British) is the official language and is used widely in commerce and education. (You can also visit here for detailed information about the country of Malawi.)

Malawi enjoys political and social stability, one of the continent’s most professional and well-respected militaries, spectacular natural beauty, and close ties to the United States.

Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries with around 60% of its population living below the poverty line. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has devastated the country. Close to 15% of the adult population is infected and life expectancy is now less than 40 years.

Christians make up 75% of the population, with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian and Roman Catholic as the strongest in the country: 55% are Protestant, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Muslim, and the rest are traditional indigenous religions (there is freedom of worship in Malawi). Christianity is often mixed with paganism, so the need for more faith formation is vital. There is a lot of belief in superstition. The seminary's rector Mons. Kimu says, "It's a pity to see that even priests, nuns and religious brothers, after a long formation in the Christian faith, remain 'baptised pagans' so to say."

> See photos and stories of Terry's trip <