I celebrated Easter in Ngunda and Kinzamba, in the diocese of Idiofa

Father Guillaume Muthunda celebrated the twig Sunday in the church of the parish of Saint Eugene de Mazenod in Lozo-Munene (Photo). « After the Easter vigil in Kinzamba, we went to celebrate at 7:30 a.m. in Ngunda, 7 kms away to celebrate Sunday in Kinzamba, where Christians wanted to have the Eucharist instead of the celebration of the Word. Both villages are from the parish of Lozo, in the territory of Gungu, diocese of Idiofa, in the province of Kwilu.«

Between Kinzamba and Ngunda

Ngunda is one of these Christian villages or communities that rarely see the priest during the year. Ngunda, according to my perception of things, must be a crossroads or village that federates the other villages because Father Louis Sebreghts had built a chapel in durable materials like Kinzamba, Musanga-Lubwe, Munzombo and Lozo.

On April 20, 2025, it was Easter and Father Jean Poloto, parish priest of Lozo, had there announced the arrival of a priest for Easter morning Mass.

In Kinzamba, in the afternoon of 19 April 2025, three members of this community come to know the programme of my visit. I tell them that tonight I celebrate the Easter Eve with them in Kinzamba and that tomorrow morning I will leave for Easter Mass in Ngunda.

It is then that the three faithful describe for me the community of Ngunda that I will discover the next day.

« Ngunda is a small Christian community, with a low participation of faithful who occasionally join us for celebrations. When the priest or vicar goes there, it is with the members of our community that he is accompanied for the choir, the servants or the joyful. Their quest does not represent any contribution to fuel for the priest's displacement. We advise you to stay with us for Easter morning Mass instead of going to Ngunda »They would dissuade me. I told them that it was not mine to change the program received from the priest and that if they wanted this change, they only had to ask their priest.

Basically, they wanted to have the Eucharist in Kinzamba on Easter morning. I found their intention good but their method twisted. I finally resolved to celebrate two Masses, the first in Ngunda and the second in Kinzamba.

Easter morning in Ngunda

On Easter Sunday, I arrive in Ngunda. My visit revealed a formed community that is aware of its role and mission.

I arrived at 8:32 a.m., Mass began at 9:47 a.m. And the church or chapel of Ngunda was filled during the celebration with the faithful who came from other villages attached to the post of Ngunda. Ngunda's choir, composed largely of female choruses, was well-sung and prayed. An animated Mass with a participative, dancing and singing assembly.

Two Easter morning women

I will remember two women who took my attention on Easter Sunday in Ngunda. A certain Florentine, whose name I have forgotten, may be around 80 years old. She came from the neighbouring village. We had passed by as she came to meet us for the celebration of Easter Sunday. When she joins us, with kindness, she will approach us to declare: « I learned the arrival of the priest for Easter Mass. I thought I couldn't miss it. Despite my health and back pain, I decided to come to Mass so that the priest would pray on me and heal. » And I'd like to say, « All right, we saw you on the way but we didn't know you were coming to church. Yes, the Lord will heal you; enter the church. »

The second is Ms. Séverine Kiwebe, principal of the primary school and notable of the square. She was involved in organizing the Eucharistic celebration with the catechist and other members of the council of the Christian community of Ngunda. At her home, the community reserved the reception or reception of the father and his sequel after Mass. Having a second Mass in Kinzamba, I had to cancel the reception to quickly go to join the Christians of Kinzamba who had been waiting since 11:00, agreed time for the beginning of Easter morning Mass. I wanted us to serve food and drink in Kinzamba. This was done with a great understanding of the community of Ngunda.

In my view, Florentine and Séverine were two courageous women like Mary Madeleine and the Easter morning women who announced the resurrection to the apostles.

I saw in Ngunda a new community, illuminated with the glory of the resurrection, contrary to the one painted by the three Kinzamba faithful who were trying to dissuade me. In Ngunda, Easter 2025 was celebrated with joy.