Not long ago, as the sun began to rise over the bustling city of Blantyre, Malawi, a small team from The Pontifical Mission Societies joined the Catholic Community of Chikapa in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Pro-Parish for Sunday Mass. It was 6 a.m., yet over 1,000 parishioners had already gathered, filling the large church and spilling out into the surrounding grounds. The early hour and the crowd were a testament to the deep faith and dedication of this community, many of whom were local vendors. They had come to worship before heading to their market stalls, ensuring they could honor God before beginning their day’s work.
Catholic Community of Chikapa in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Pro-Parish for Sunday Mass.
Although not yet fully established as a separate parish, Our Lady Queen of Peace is on its way to becoming a vibrant center of faith in Blantyre, one of Malawi’s oldest cities. This parish, which was once an outstation for another parish closer to the city center, is now growing into its own identity. Located near some of the city’s largest markets, Chikapa serves a diverse congregation, many of whom are working-class individuals striving to make a living in the busy urban environment.
Our Lady Queen of Peace is on its way to becoming a vibrant center of faith in Blantyre.
When we entered the church, we were struck by its size—larger than many of the other churches the team had visited, aside from the cathedrals. The building was relatively new, replacing an older structure now used for catechism classes and storage. Inside, the men and women sat on opposite sides, a tradition we had observed throughout our visit to Malawi. The choir, positioned at the front left, led the congregation in song, their voices harmonizing beautifully with the early morning stillness.
As Mass began, the quiet preparation gave way to a full and joyous participation. The congregation sang with the choir, filling the space with a palpable sense of devotion. The liturgy, conducted in Chichewa, resonated deeply with the people, many of whom spoke some English but preferred to worship in their native language.
One of the most memorable moments during the Mass was the collection. As we had seen in other parishes, the faithful processed to the front of the church to give their offerings, placing them in multiple boxes set at the foot of the sanctuary. Despite their modest means, the people of Chikapa gave generously, embodying the Gospel message of giving thanks through acts of charity. Their contributions, though small in monetary value, were a powerful testament to their faith and commitment to the Church.
The faithful processed to the front of the church to give their offerings, placing them in multiple boxes set at the foot of the sanctuary.
The congregation was particularly excited to hear from Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, the former national director of The Pontifical Mission Societies Malawi. There was a strong recognition of The Pontifical Mission Societies among the people, who expressed their gratitude for the support received from the Propagation of the Faith, which oversees the World Mission Sunday Collection taking place this October 20th.
Bishop Vincent Mwakhwawa, the former national director of The Pontifical Mission Societies Malawi, addressing the congregation during his homily.
In his homily Bishop Vincent encouraged the people to continue living with hope, faith, and courage in these tough economic times, saying that the Word of God and the Eucharistic celebration is the source of comfort amidst tribulations.
He added: “Just as Isaiah comforted and gave hope to the Israelites in exile, we need to know that God has not abandoned anyone in Malawi or the world. Moreover, God through Jesus Christ is the answer to our challenges and problems.”
After the Mass, the warmth and hospitality of the Chikapa community continued to shine. Parishioners eagerly approached us to take pictures, share stories, and express their thanks for our visit. We felt a deep connection to these people who, despite facing many challenges, displayed a joy and gratitude that were truly infectious.
Members of the group from TPMS-USA pose for a photo with parishioners from the community after Mass.
The parish leadership took time to show us the progress they had made on various projects, including the construction of a new rectory on the parish grounds. This modest building, which they hope will one day house up to three priests, is a symbol of the growth and development that the parish is experiencing, in part thanks to the generosity of people such as yourself.
Visit to the construction site of the new rectory on the parish grounds.
What stood out most to us, however, was the profound gratitude and generosity that permeated every interaction. The people of Chikapa, though working-class and modest in their means, have hearts full of gratitude for the blessings they receive and a deep desire to give back to their community. Their joy and excitement were infectious, leaving us with a lasting impression of a community that, while still growing and developing, is already rich in faith and spirit.
Our Lady Queen of Peace Pro-Parish in Blantyre is more than just a congregation; it is a vibrant, thriving community of believers who are building something beautiful—both physically and spiritually. As their image graces one of our World Mission Sunday posters, we are reminded of the importance of our mission to support these communities. The Catholic community of Chikapa is a testament to the power of faith, generosity, and the transformative love of God, a love that we are all called to share and nurture.
