Muppa, Mozambique: On February 25th, 2023, the small village of Muppa in Mozambique celebrated a momentous occasion with the inauguration of the Church dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The local bishop presided over the ceremony and attended by members of the local community, government officials, and Claretian Missionaries.
The church is in the Parish of San Pedro Claver and Alto Ligonha in Zambézia. Its construction is a result of the dedication and commitment of Father Joseph Biju, a Claretian Missionary who arrived in Mozambique from the Province of St. Thomas in India in 2009. The Church is the first Catholic temple dedicated to the Heart of Mary in the country and is considered one of the largest churches built in Mozambique after the Portuguese regime.
The altar was consecrated during the inauguration ceremony, and Saint Anthony Mary Claret’s relic was introduced. The ceremony was a testament to the hard work of Father Joseph Biju and the local community, who worked tirelessly to bring this dream to a fulfillment.
Father Wagner Aragão, the provincial econome, representing the Provincial Government, and the Claretian Missionaries working in the area, were also present during the ceremony. The construction of the Church dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary represents an important milestone in the religious history of Mozambique and a demonstration of the dedication and commitment of the Catholic Church in the region.
The event was celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm by the local community, who expressed their gratitude towards Father Joseph Biju and the Claretian Missionaries for their unwavering dedication to the construction of the church.
