Almighty and everlasting God, who didst enkindle the flame of thy love in the heart of thy holy martyr Bernard Mizeki: Grant to us, thy humble servants, a like faith and power of love, that we who rejoice in his triumph may profit by his example; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
I’m glad that the festal calendar includes at least one African catechist, when such lay leaders are absolutely indispensable to the explosive growth of the Church in Africa, and not least the clergy-starved Anglican Church.
Bernard Mizeki (circa 1861-1896) was actually just as much of an international missionary as Dr. Livingston or any other Anglo. He was born in the Protugese colony that today is Mozambique, but after his conversion and baptism at age 25, he traveled to southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and worked as a catechist among the Shona people. A faithful witness, who aptly represents countless African martyrs and lay catechists who came after him.
David Handy+