“Disappointed, but following Pope,” 3,000 Reunions Join Papal Mass in Mauritius

“Many Reunion inhabitants are already used to having their holidays in Mauritius, but particularly in this occasion of the visit of Pope Francis, there are up to 3,000 from Reunion who traveled for this event,” Erissy also disclosed.

Having an estimated population of just over 850,000 citizens, Reunion is an island in the Indian Ocean and an overseas territory of France.

“Others did travel to Mozambique, while some others are in currently in Madagascar for the same event, that is, having an encounter with the Holy Father,” Erissy who is a journalist with Antenne Reunion television said, hinting to the multicultural reality of her country.

Situated east of Madagascar and some 175 km southwest of Mauritius, the citizens of Reunion Island trace their origins from Madagascar, Mozambique, France, China, India, the Comoros, among other countries.

Both Mauritius and Reunion are part of the five island nations that constitute the Episcopal Conference of the Indian Ocean, abbreviated as CEDOI from the French translation: Conférence Episcopale de l’Océan Indien.

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The other island countries include Comoros, Mayotte, and Seychelles.

The liturgical coordinator for the Public Papal Mass in Mauritius, Fr. Jean Claude Veder confirmed to ACI Africa Sunday that all the five island nations have been included in the liturgy.

“Those from Reunion Island are here for a pilgrimage, they are pilgrims here joining the Holy Father,” Fr. Veder said and added, “So in the prayers of the faithful, we have included people from Reunion.”

“We have included all people from the five island nations who will be here led by their Bishops,” Fr. Veder clarified and added in reference to those from the island countries, “They will participate in this Mass and we shall feel their presence.”

“We welcome all those who will be here to pray with us and to make this moment a moment we will never forget in the history of Mauritius,” Fr. Veder who is a diocesan priest of Port Louis diocese concluded.

Meanwhile, asked about what the people of Reunion Island who have traveled to Mauritius to meet the Holy Father expect from this experience, Erissy acknowledged the similarities between her country and Mauritius.

“The people of the Reunion Island have many similarities with the Mauritians, especially from a multicultural perspective, so as people from the Reunion, we hope for the same message as that given to Mauritians,” Erissy said and expressed the hope that the Pope emphasizes the need “to be able to live together in peace, reaching out to each other regardless of cultural differences.”

“Most have come to Mauritius because it is comparatively less expensive, and it is relatively easy,” Erissy clarified.

Some of the events planned for Pope Francis’ one-day stay in Mauritius include his arrival at the airport from Madagascar, Mass at the Chapel and Shrine of Marie Reine de la Paix, lunch at the Bishop’s house, visit at the Shrine of Pere Laval, meeting with the Acting President of Mauritius Republic, tree blessing ceremony at State House, and a ceremony of the Pope’s departure at the airport.

The Pope is expected to fly back to Madagascar Monday evening and eventually back to Rome Tuesday, September 10.

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Fr. Don Bosco Onyalla is ACI Africa’s founding Editor-in-Chief. He was formed in the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans), and later incardinated in Rumbek Diocese, South Sudan. He has a PhD in Media Studies from Daystar University in Kenya, and a Master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Marist College, New York, USA.