Hwange Seventy-two-year-old widower Mr Elish Gozho was baptized in Hwange Diocese, Zimbabwe following his conversion to Catholicism.
According to the source, Newspackzim Fr. Mathias Sibanda led the procession At St. Faustina Small Christian Community (SCC) under St. Ignatius of Loyola Cathedral Parish which took place during the SCC Mass.
In his homily, Fr. Sibanda urged people to emulate John the Baptist, who preached the gospel and stood for the truth.
“God loves you, and let your life give praise to God by your works,” said Fr. Sibanda.
In the community, Gozho is well known as “Vamaridza mbira,” a ChiShona language phrase meaning the one who plays mbira (a thumb piano). The alias name originates from his popular skill and ability to play the mbira instrument.
Born on November 10, 1952, Mr. Gozho started going to the Catholic Church at St. Ignatius of Loyola Cathedral about a year ago.
As a widower who lost his wife in 2022, he stays with his two grandsons.
“I am glad that God remembered me, pray for me so that I don’t fall in my prayer life,” said Mr. Gozho upon receiving the sacrament of baptism.
Mr. Gozho decided to move closer to the Lord through receiving the sacrament of baptism and Holy Communion.
St. Faustina SCC community during Mass celebration at Mr. Gozho’s residence.
Driven by the spirit of ‘baptised and sent’ theme, Mr. Gozho vowed to join the choir to learn the Catholic Church songs and play the mbira instrument as part of the music during singing.
Mr. Gozho received spiritual guidance from Mr. Shoko, the chairperson of St. Faustina SCC. Upon the baptism of Mr. Gozho, Mr. Robert Shoko took the role of his godparent.
Mr. Gozho celebrated the milestone by having a meal with the St. Faustina SCC members after Mass.
Baptism is the sacrament of initiation, the first that a person receives in the Catholic Church. The other sacraments are confirmation, Eucharist, Penance/ confession (reconciliation), Anointing of the sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
