A thanksgiving Mass was celebrated on the grounds of Tshondo Secondary School in Lubumbashi on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in gratitude for the protection of students, teachers, and the headmistress during two recent fires at the school. The Mass also marked the inauguration of a monument honouring the Venerable Father Peter Joseph Triest, the founder of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary.

The Eucharist was presided over by Monsignor Emmanuel Mumba, Vicar General in charge of works. The celebration began at 7:30 a.m. with a procession starting from the square in front of the Notre-Dame de la Paix parish. Schoolchildren carried the effigy of the Venerable Father Triest to the sound of drums played by young members of the parish’s Kiro Movement.

The Mass began at 9:30 a.m., with pupils and teachers taking part. Fathers Jules Mutwite, Eric Bunda, and Léonard Kilanga, along with a delegation of children from the Nuru Institute, pupils from Lycée Wema, the Brothers of Charity, and the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary, surrounded the ‘children of Father Triest’, the pupils’ guests of honour.

In his homily, Monsignor Mumba emphasized hope, courage, and the love that students have for their school. He urged the assembly not to give in to fear, encouraging them to walk with their heads held high, likening their journey to that of the people of Israel, who wandered in the desert for forty years. He reminded the students to always remember the schools affected by the disaster when they take on roles of responsibility in society.

In conclusion, he encouraged them to remain hopeful and not to leave the lycée for another school despite the hardships. He urged them to emulate the life of the Venerable Father Peter-Joseph Triest, who dedicated his life to serving others, especially the vulnerable, with self-sacrifice, perseverance, and courage, despite his poor health. ‘Tshondo will become more beautiful than before’, he added.

The Mass took place in an atmosphere of joy, peace, love, and sharing. Before the final blessing, Sister Marguerite Mwatsha, the principal of the school, delivered a speech in which she briefly recounted the life of the Venerable Father Peter-Joseph Triest and explained the origins of the gifts in kind that the ’children of Father Triest’ would receive that day. This initiative, started six years ago by students and teachers, was born from their collective decision to pool their small savings once a year to bring a glimmer of hope to those in need.

At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the procession made its way to the site of the monument to the Venerable Father Peter-Joseph Triest, accompanied by songs of gratitude for his presence in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the city of Lubumbashi, and Tshondo Secondary School.

After cutting the symbolic ribbon, the Vicar General opened a bottle of wine, sharing it with Sister Marguerite and Mr. Johny Ilunga Mulundule, the project manager. They poured half of their glasses at the foot of the monument and drank the rest to the applause of all present.

Monsignor Mumba led a prayer invoking the saints and the Holy Spirit. He then explained the symbolism of Father Triest’s posture on the monument:

• The book in his left hand represents the Word of God,
• His right arm resting alongside his body expresses determination and perseverance,
• The drum at his feet is an instrument of communication and gathering, called ’Tshondo’ in the local language.

At the end of the ceremony, Monsignor Mumba emphasized that this monument to the Venerable Father Triest does not make him a god but serves to immortalize his spirit.

One of the students welcomed the founding father, Venerable Father Triest, in various national and local languages and read out the students’ own words for the occasion. The Vicar General then blessed the entire assembly.

To the rhythm of drums, cheers, and dancing, the students returned to the place where they shared food and non-food parcels with the ’children of Father Triest.’ A meal was served by the students, and pupils from the Nuru Institute also received meals.

At the conclusion of the celebration, a ’drink of friendship’ was offered to all.

Sister Marguerite Ngoy Mwatsha