Maseru, June 02 The Catholic Church in Lesotho on Friday night celebrated the feast of Blessed Father Joseph Gerard.

The four Bishops graced the celebration and many priests were present as well as the pilgrims from the four dioceses and Botswana and Gauteng, South Africa to witness the occasion.

The pilgrimage also included praying for Blessed Joseph Gerard to become a Saint.

Reflecting on the life of Blessed Father Joseph Gerard, Father Clement Motlaopa OMI, Vicar General of the Diocese of Mohale's Hoek said Blessed Joseph Gerard was a model of holy dedication sent to the Basotho people whose life of prayer and love is honoured today as they celebrate Naleli ea Tloutle (The Star of Brilliance).

He said Blessed Joseph Gerard was a shining example of exemplary holiness. "He loved Basotho deeply and gave his entire life to them. He loved prayer because it made him God's friend", he said.

"Let us love one another as Father Gerard did, because there is no life without love because love is the fruit of the Spirit. He was a missionary sent here and he loved Basotho until his death".

Meanwhile, he added that this celebration coincides with the 60th anniversary of the passing of the first native Mosotho Bishop, Emmanuel Mabathoana OMI.

Born in Nancy, France, he joined the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1851. At age 22, he was sent to South Africa and never returned to his homeland.

After initially working with the Zulu people, he was sent to Lesotho in 1862. He worked closely with the King Moshoeshoe I, to establish the first Catholic mission in the region.

He mastered both the Zulu and Sesotho languages. He immersed himself deeply in the local culture, earning the profound respect of the Basotho people through his tireless dedication and acts of service.

He died on May 29, 1914. Then in 1988, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II during a papal visit to Maseru.

His feast day is celebrated annually on May 29. The celebration will continue with youth pilgrimage on Saturday.