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.
Martha and I remember camping out on the hillsides surrounding the martyr’s shrine with thousands of believers for two or three nights for the annual pilgrimage past Marondera for the observance of Bernard Miseki’s feast. The smoke of uncountable camp fires, the smell of sadza bubbling in cooking pots, the sound of drums and kudu horns being played by the Shona musicians and, of cours, the singing of the choirs to the rhythm of the hoshos; all combined to create a persisting memory of devotion and expectation. Preaching and hymns all night long were followed by whole mornings of confession with lines of penitents snaking across the fields while clergy seated on stones shrove the masses. The traditional reenactment of the martyr’s life with the always theatrical climax as Bernard is killed by chief Mwanga’s men was the high light of the Saturday. Then the huge Sunday communion lead by the bishops (and archbishops, we saw Tutu and George Carey and more). And the ride back to rural parishes by bus or rented farm truck, was always the end to the exciting commemoration.
The fellowship and sense of community always seemed to reknit the fabric of the southern African anglican community’s fellowship. We will never forget. God is good to His people.