JOHN BRADBURNE 35TH ANNIVERSARY ON THIS WEEKEND, This Saturday is the 35th anniversary of the death of John Bradburne, a friend of the lepers who has made Mutemwa very popular. As friends heard to Mutemwa tomorrow for commemorative prayers, here are a few facts about John Bradburne. You may share with us more details that fascinate you about John, the great man! He was born on 14 June 1921 in Skirwith, Cambrian, England Baptized as an Anglican on 31 July 1921. Educated at Greshman’s, an independent school in England, from 1934 to 1939. Stayed with the Benedictines and he became a Roman Catholic in 1947 In 1956, on Good Friday, he joined the Secular Franciscan Order but he remained a layman. In 1962, he wrote to a Jesuit friend in Zimbabwe asking if there was a cave in Africa where he can pray, he was then invited to be a missionary helper. Told a Franciscan priest about his wishes to help the victims of leprosy, to die a martyr, and to be buried in the Franciscan habit. The Jesuit missionaries introduced him to the Mutemwa Leprosy Settlement near Mutoko. He arrived in 1969 and stayed there until his death. On Sunday, 2 September 1979, unknown men kidnapped and accused him of being an informer; and shot him. He died on 5 September at the age of 58. Buried in a Franciscan habit, according to his wishes, at the Chishawasha Mission Cemetery.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Sep 2014 06:30:00 +0000
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