Every year on December 25, Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Son of God and expected Savior. On that night, the whole world received a gift: God sent his son into the world as a gift to mankind. Christmas is one of the greatest feasts on the Catholic calendar. It marks the incarnation – God became man.
In most of the island’s parishes, a vigil is held on December 24 before mass, with carols, entertainment, prayers, tableaux vivants and more. On December 25, Catholics will gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus at mass.
Mass times for December 24 and 25, 2023, can be found on the diocesan website: http://www.dioceseportlouis.org
Some of the events that will mark Christmas this year:
- Vigil and Mass at Marie-Reine-de-la-Paix
Father Alex Têtu will celebrate Christmas mass at Marie-Reine-de-la-Paix at 7:00 pm on Sunday, December 24.
- Agenda of Mgr Jean Michaël Durhône
A number of Masses will be celebrated in the island’s prisons to bear witness that God is close to those in distress. Mgr Durhône will visit the central prison on Sunday December 24 and celebrate mass at 9:00 am.
The TV and radio program for Christmas :
- Christmas Eve broadcast on MBC 2
On Sunday December 24, the Christmas vigil will be broadcast from the Sacré-Coeur chapel in Glen Park at 7.30pm. Father Laurent Rivet will deliver the homily.
- Christmas Day mass broadcast live on Radio Maurice
On Monday, December 25 at 9:30 am, mass will be celebrated in the Church of Saint-Paul, Phoenix, and broadcast live on Radio Maurice.
- Christmas message
Mgr Durhône’s Christmas message will be broadcast on MBC TV1 after the news on Monday December 25.
- Special broadcast: “Christmas with the children at the bishop’s palace”.
A few months after his episcopal ordination, the 12th bishop of Port-Louis opens the doors of his bishopric, as well as those of his heart. Aged from six to 11, the young boys and girls, with their energy, their kindness and not forgetting their curiosity, questioned Mgr Jean-Michaël Durhône on many subjects around the theme of the Nativity. These exchanges, which are sure to move you or simply make you laugh, will be interspersed with traditional Christmas carols, with the participation of parents.
Produced in collaboration with the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, this document allows viewers to discover the bishopric and understand how it works. The administrative center and official residence of the bishops of Port-Louis since 1847, the year the diocese was created, the bishop’s palace has been the focus of much attention in recent months, with the appointment and episcopal consecration of the new bishop. Mgr Jean-Michaël Durhône, who has been kind enough to admit television cameras, will himself lead this visit, punctuated by teachings and information on the Church’s mission in Mauritius.
