South Africa holds day of prayer for Nelson Mandela

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A girl holds a candle during a service for former South African President Nelson Mandela, at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto December 8, 2013. REUTERS/KEVIN COOMBS

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans of all races flocked to houses of worship Sunday for a national day of prayer and reflection to honor Nelson Mandela, unified in their love for a historic figure whose funeral is expected to be one of the biggest in modern times.

At the Regina Mundi Church that was near the epicenter of the Soweto township uprising in 1976 against white rule, Father Sebastian J. Rossouw described Mandela as "moonlight," saying he offered a guiding light for South Africa. Hundreds of people attended the Mass.

"Madiba did not doubt the light," Rossouw said. "He paved the way for a better future, but he cannot do it alone."

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In an affluent and predominantly white suburb of the capital Pretoria, parishioners prayed for Mandela at what was once a worship center for pro-apartheid government and business leaders. They prayed in silence as a picture of Mandela was beamed onto the wall above the church's pulpit, the event starkly highlighting the enormous changes that have come to this country.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-africa-holds-day-of-prayer-for-nelson-mandela/