Batswana Catholics

25/06/2026

SOLEMN VESPERS WITH BLESSING OF EPISCOPAL INSIGNIA

Solemn Vespers with the Blessing of the Pontifical Insignia is a traditional Catholic liturgical service held on the eve of a bishop-elect's episcopal ordination.

During this Evening Prayer, the bishop-elect takes an Oath of Fidelity to the Church by publicly professing the Nicene Creed and declaring his obedience to the Church.

The presiding bishop (or archbishop) blesses the sacred items the new bishop will wear and carry during his ministry.

THE RING

The ring is always worn on the ring finger of the bishop’s right hand. It is the symbol of fidelity to the nuptial bond he has with the Church. During the ordination, the Bishop is presented this ring with these words: “Receive this ring, the seal of your fidelity: adorned with undefiled faith, preserve unblemished bride of God, the holy Church.”

THE MITER

The Miter is the liturgical headpiece worn by the bishop when exercising his office. Two bands called “lappers” hang from the back down onto the shoulders maintaining a connection with the original band bound about the head as a turban. During the ordination, the miter will be placed on Bishop's head with these words: "Receive this miter, and may the splendor of holiness shine forth in you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears you may deserve to receive from him an unfading crown of glory."

THE PASTORAL STAFF

The Pastoral Staff or “crosier” is held in the left hand. A bishop carries it at liturgies celebrated in his own diocese. During the ordination, Bishop will be given his staff with these words: “Receive the crosier, the sign of your pastoral office: keep watch over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishop to govern the Church of God.”

25/06/2026

ARCHBISHOP SITHEMBELE SIPUKA TO RECEIVE PALLIUM FROM POPE LEO XIV

Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town has confirmed that their newly appointed Metropolitan Archbishop His Grace Sithembele Sipuka will receive the pallium from His Holiness Pope Leo XVI on Monday, 29th of June 2026 on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

Every year during the Holy Mass of Sts. Peter & Paul all Metropolitan Archbishops appointed since the previous 29th of June gather in Rome before the Pope to receive the pallium. Under the pontificate of Francis, the archbishops were given the pallium and were vested in their home Archdioceses mostly by the Apostolic Nuncios or designated archbishops or cardinals. Pope Leo XVI has since resumed vesting the archbishops with the pallium during mass as it was done by his predecessors Saint John Paull II and Benedict XVI.

According to the Archdiocesan page he is accompanied by the Auxiliary Bishop of Cape Town, Bishop Sylvester David OMI.

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference

25/06/2026

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25/06/2026

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25/06/2026

LABONE WA BEKE YA BO-12 MO NAKONG YA GALE

Efangele | Matheo 7: 21-29

Mo motlheng oo, Jesu o ne a raya barutwa ba gagwe a re: “Ga se mongwe le mongwe yo o nthayang a re: ‘Morena, Morena!’ yo o tla tsenang mo pusong ya magodimo; go tla tsena fela yo o dirang thato ya ga Rre yo o kwa magodimong. Ba bantsi ba tla nthaya ka letsatsi leo ba re: ‘Morena, Morena, a ga re a ka ra rera Lefoko la Modimo ka leina la gago, ra ba ra leleka medemone ka leina la gago, ra ba ra dira ditiro tse dikgolo ka leina la gago?’ Foo ke tla ba raya ke re: ‘Ga ke ise nke ke lo itse; tlogang fa go nna, lona badiratshiamololo!’ “Jaanong mongwe le mongwe yo o utlwang mafoko ao a me, a ba a a dirisa, o tla tshwana le monna yo o tlhoko, yo o agileng ntlo ya gagwe mo lefikeng; mme p**a ya fologa, le merwalela ya tla, le diphefo tsa foka, tsa itaya ntlo eo; mme ya se ka ya wa; gonne e ne e theilwe mo lefikeng. “Mme mongwe le mongwe yo o utlwang mafoko ao a me, mme a sa a dirise, o tla tshwana le monna yo o lesilo, yo o agileng ntlo ya gagwe mo mošaweng; mme p**a ya fologa, le merwalela ya tla, le diphefo tsa foka, tsa itaya ntlo eo, ya ba ya wa; mme go wa ga yona ga nna gogolo.” Jaanong ya re Jesu a sena go fetsa mafoko ao, batho ba welwa ke letshogo le legolo ka ntlha ya thuto ya gagwe; gonne o ne a ba ruta jaaka yo o nang le thata, e seng jaaka Baitsedikwalo ba bone.

24/06/2026

Re-posted

Why the Pope and bishops wear the diconal vestment: Dalmatic under the chasuble?

Why does a Pope (or Bishop) wear a Dalmatic under his Vestments.

The Dalmatic is the vestment worn by Deacons during mass as demonstrated by the Deacon on the top half of the picture.

It is a long, wide-sleeved tunic, which serves as a liturgical vestment in the Catholic churches. When used, it is the proper vestment of a deacon at Mass or other services. .

Like the chasuble worn by priests and bishops, it is an outer vestment and is supposed to match the liturgical colour of the day. The dalmatic is often made of the same material and decoration as a chasuble, so as to form a matching pair.

In the bottom photo we can observe Pope Benedict XVI being assisted with his Vestments and underneath is a stripped Dalmatic.

Why does he wear a Dalmatic though he is a Bishop.?

When a Pope wears a Dalmatic under his Vestments, It signifies the fullness of the priesthood and that both the order of Priesthood and Deacon are expressed in their fullness the office of the Bishop. Thus the Bishop, with the fulness of the Priesthood can ordain Deacons, Priests and Bishops.

It also expresses that the bishop is the chief "minister of charity " within his diocese. It is an expression that he is not just concerned with the sacramental economy of the Church, the inner mysteries, but is also with the Churches outreach to the poor the needy, the outer mysteries.

24/06/2026

RITE OF ORDINATION FOR BISHOPS

PROMISES OF THE BISHOP-ELECT

At every ordination the one(s) to be ordained make promises before the ordaining prelate. At their ordination, deacons primarily promise service and obedience while priests promise preaching, celebrating the Eucharist, celibacy, life of prayer.

For bishops, 9 promises are made during the ordination rite with questions centred around the below 9 pillars or similar and the elect responds with "I do":

1. Duty of the Office: To discharge the apostolic office until the end of his life.

2. Proclamation of the Gospel: To remain faithful and constant in preaching the Gospel of Christ.

3. Guardianship of the Faith: To maintain the deposit of faith pure and integral, according to the tradition of the Church received from the Apostles.

4. Building Up the Church: To build up the Church as the Body of Christ and remain united to it within the order of bishops under the authority of the successor of St. Peter.

5. Fidelity to the Pope: To show faithful obedience to the Supreme Pontiff (the Pope).

6. Care for the Flock: To act as a good father to the people of God, guiding them on the way of salvation in cooperation with the priests and deacons.

7. Mercy and Hospitality: To be welcoming and merciful to the poor, strangers, and all those in need.

8. Seeking the Lost: To seek out the straying sheep and bring them back to the fold of the Lord.

9. Prayer: To pray unceasingly for the people of God and carry out the daily sacrifice of the liturgy.

Pictured here is Acolyte Junior Bathophi while making his promises to the ordaining bishop at his diaconate ordination mass on the 10th of January 2026.

24/06/2026

RITE OF ORDINATION FOR BISHOPS

PLACING OF THE BOOK OF THE GOSPEL OVER THE HEAD OF THE ORDINAND

During a bishop’s ordination, the open Book of the Gospels is placed over his head to signify submission to divine truth. It illustrates that the Word of God rules over the bishop, reminding him that his primary obligation is preaching the Gospel and that he must remain subordinate to Christ the true Shepherd.

This Saturday, 27th of June we will witness the Boom of the Gospel being placed over the head of Monsignor Lawrence Pheto during the prayer of consecration.

Picture: Southern Cross
Event: Episcopal ordination of Monsignor Victor Mbuyisa CMM, Bishop of Kokstad

24/06/2026

"Beyond its spiritual significance, the episcopal ordination is proving to be an important economic catalyst, demonstrating how major faith-based gatherings can contribute to local commerce and tourism. As the Catholic faithful prepare to welcome their new shepherd, Francistown is enjoying both a religious celebration and a timely economic blessing."

𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗪𝗡 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗨𝗣 𝗔𝗦 𝗕𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗖 𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚

Francistown is experiencing a significant economic uplift ahead of the historic ordination of Monsignor Fr. Lawrence Pheto as the third Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Francistown.

The highly anticipated ceremony, scheduled for Saturday at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium, is expected to attract thousands of Catholics, clergy, religious leaders and pilgrims from across Botswana and beyond.

The influx of visitors has translated into a major boost for the hospitality sector, with Cresta Hotels Area Manager - North Dr. Seth Mongwaketse confirming that accommodation facilities are fully booked. The surge in demand is benefiting hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, transport operators and local businesses throughout Botswana's second city.

Beyond its spiritual significance, the episcopal ordination is proving to be an important economic catalyst, demonstrating how major faith-based gatherings can contribute to local commerce and tourism. As the Catholic faithful prepare to welcome their new shepherd, Francistown is enjoying both a religious celebration and a timely economic blessing.