Lesotho delegate: IEC demonstrates active Mass participation

(Vatican Radio) The biggest difference between African and Filipino Catholics discovered at the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu, Philippines, is in the way Mass is celebrated. That is the view of  Father Meshack Maine Phenethi - National Delegate from Lesotho, in southern Africa.

“The cultural of the Catholic Mass is the same, but the way we celebrate is different,” Fr.  Phenethi said.

Listen to the interview by Seàn-Patrick Lovett with Father Meshack Maine Phenethi:

“In Africa, we are dancing…the celebration of the Mass, and we take our time. Probably 2-3 hours in one Mass, because we take our time. We dance. We clap hands. That is the [largest] difference that I noticed here,” he told Vatican Radio.

Father Phenethi said the celebration of the Mass in the Philippines includes “fully active participation,” but they are not dancing.

One thing Father Phenethi would like to see more of during the IEC are presentations which are more grounded in the day-to-day life of the laity.

“The discussions seem to be more theological, more scientific, that they cannot even go up to the laity who are not having the theological background,” he said.

“As Africans I would want it to be down-to-earth so that  it can touch the lives of people…when we see the Eucharist, we see the centre that answers all of our anguish and everything,” said Father Phenethi.