Mt. Kilimanjaro presented the greatest amount of thunder, lightning and rain it has had in decades. “I thought celebrating mass at the top would be out of the question, but we still brought all the supplies,” Fr Low recounted.
Tanzania – Dodoma (05/04/2022 2:01 PM, Gaudium Press) Dominican priest Corwin Low, pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Portland, Oregon (United States), celebrated Holy Mass at the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895m), the highest point in all of Africa.
Dolores Meehan, a fundraiser for the pro-life endeavours Walk for Life West Coast and Life Runners, had invited Father Low to be the chaplain for the Kilimanjaro trip, a project raising awareness concerning pro-life issues.
Best time for contemplation
In an interview with the National Catholic Register, the priest remarked that climbing is the best form of contemplation since “it’s hard not to contemplate when you’re surrounded by the incredible beauty of God’s creative hand. I also said several rosaries and prayed for the parish’s needs and those who have asked me to pray for them.”
“I asked the organizers if I could also raise funds for our fellow Dominicans in formation. They wholeheartedly agreed. The trip was a testimony of Faith for those who would be traveling, as well as for those we would meet,” he stressed.
A ‘miracle’
During the climb, Mt. Kilimanjaro had “the greatest amount of thunder, lightning and rain it has had in decades.” Bad weather accompanied them up to the summit, where it even snowed.
“I thought celebrating mass at the top would be out of the question, but we still brought all the supplies,” he said.
Despite the rough weather, Fr Low started the Holy Mass. At the moment of consecration, “the clouds opened up, and it was sunny. The clouds came back after the consecration. I celebrated a votive Mass for Christ the King, I thought it was appropriate. It was all a miracle”, he remarked. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
