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| Damesfontein Mission (English) |
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Its origin
 Just over the little stream going through the Mission, among solid volcanic rocks, there is a spring of water from which the Mission takes its name: Damesfontein (literally: the ladies fountain).The Mission is situated on the eastern part of South Africa, bordering with Swaziland, at 1630 mt over the sea level. The origin of the Mission, formerly a stopping point for missionaries, dates back to the years 1940s and 1950s when missionaries used to visit the area on horse-back from Pretoria (350Km) and later from Ermelo (80 km). The present church was built by the Franciscans around the year 1955. The arrival of the Consolata Missionaries The Consolata Missionaries started residing at the Mission in 1975 with the dynamic Fr. Giorgio Massa imc. Soon a house for priests was erected, as well as a primary school and a Pastoral centre with Fr. Giovanni Viscardi imc, subsequently helped by Frs. Francesco Discepoli imc and Benedetto Bellesi imc.  The Kangwane HomelandIn the area of the Damesfontein territory, soon the former government of South Africa created one of the Homelands (land reserved for black people) called Kangwane. In a few years hoards of removed and dispossessed people arrived and resettled in this homeland. This of course demanded more work and more expansion for the Mission. Expansion Over the years, fifteen churches and chapels were erected in the territory of the Mission which reached a population of about 200.000 people. Catholics to this day are only about 3%, thus leaving ample scope for first and second evangelization. Many Consolata Missionaries followed and worked hard in this Mission which little by little became the rallying point for the Consolatas ministering in South Africa; so much so, that a centre was built for the visiting missionaries called Allamano House. Damesfontein Mission is a rural, remote area, practically with no economic incentive. More and more it is becoming the "parking area" for elderly people and for children, whose parents have managed to go to Johannesburg to look for greener pastures. The languages spoken are Swazi and Zulu by the local people. English is essential for dealings in the nearest town at about 80 km away. Over the years we have baptized about 4000 people and to this day the two resident missionaries, Frs. Carlos Domingos and Cassiano Kalima, manage every Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist in six churches, of which the main one is dedicated to Maria Consolata. The Pastoral Centre  The Pastoral Centre in Damesfontein Mission, deserves a special mention. The residential Centre, which can accommodate over fifty people at a time, has offered a variety of courses and training sessions to hundreds of people over the years.The Centre specializes in training Catechists, Pastoral Agents and Church Leaders who take the services in the priest’s absence. Hundreds of young people gained in knowledge and experience from this Centre. Lately it has rendered a great service in the form of spiritual retreats to many HBC (Home Based Care) volunteers who assist, help and comfort hundreds of victims infected and affected by HIV/Aids. Also many crèche-teachers frequent the Centre many times a year in order to improve their skills and gained a certified diploma in their profession. By Fr Ettore Viada imc |
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