The annual celebration of the Pontifical Mission Society
of the Holy Childhood took place in Dar es Salaam Archdiocese, Tanzania on the
Feast of the Holy Innocents, Martyrs (28 December, 2002).   Over 1,100 children
of the Holy Childhood from 40 parishes participated.   Dressed in their colorful
yellow and white "papal" uniforms they joyfully sang and danced.  Cardinal
Polycarp Pengo was the Main Celebrant at the Eucharistic Liturgy.  For many the
most moving moment was when a 14-year-old Tanzanian blind girl named Irene
Gerardi from St. Joseph’s Cathedral Parish did the First Reading in Braille.  As
one person said:  “A blind girl taught us the meaning of mission.”