by Sr. Ruth Percival, MMM                                     England/Ireland                                  11.03.2026

On Sunday, 2nd March, as usual, Fr Cleophas Lungu from Zambia, came from the hospital to say Mass for us. He came with a fellow Zambian priest friend, Fr Frank, who is working in a Parish in Athlone.

Mass was offered for a young Saint Patrick’s Missionary Society Theology student, Emmanuel, from Nigeria, who was killed in a car accident in Nairobi the other day. Two of our African sisters here in Drogheda, had both known him in Nigeria, as they were in early formation together. We prayed for Emmanuel, his family, friends, his missionary Society and those who were injured.
Today’s Gospel is the powerful account of the Transfiguration of Jesus on top of the very high mountain, witnessed by the three disciples Jesus chose to take with him, Fr Cleophas reminded us of how hard it is to climb a mountain and how much harder it is to come down, very symbolic for these days of Lent

He also reminded us of the Speech by Martin Luther King, “I have Dream”. Surely, we remember that powerful speech that this great man of justice and peace made. In that speech he spoke of having climbed the mountain, of not being afraid any more…..
At this Mass we prayed too in thanksgiving that Sr Ursula, our Congregational Leader, had returned safely from an unplanned visit to Angola and that Sr Clara had heard in time not to start her journey to Nigeria for everything has “exploded “ in the middle East due to Trump attacking Iran and no one can forecast what will happen.

As MMMs we are called to hold the whole world in the prayer of our hearts.  How can we do that today? Yes, God and God’s mercy are greater than anything that we can understand or imagine but how tiny and helpless we are in the face of such enormity, of so many countries at war, so much hatred including talk of a looming war in South Sudan. And what will happen to the people and children of Gaza now?
Since we were children we have heard God’s promises, promises of love, of protection and we know they are true but I believe that this is truly a time of struggling with our own beliefs until we too reach that mountain top and we, plus those we carry in our hearts are freed of all our doubts and pain, until we are transformed and transfigured.