Upon the invitation of the Bishop of Damongo Diocese, the Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, His Excellency Julien Kabore, has paid his maiden pastoral visit to the Diocese to celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King with the people of God.
The Damongo Diocese observed the Solemnity of Christ the King with great fervour, continuing its tradition of rotating the celebration among its Parishes.
This year’s event, held from November 21 to 24, 2024, was hosted by the Martyrs of Uganda Parish in Bole and graced with the presence of the Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana.
About 500 youth participated in the three-day festivities, making it a memorable occasion for the Diocese as they also marked the World Youth Day.
Warmly welcoming the Nuncio, Bishop Angkyier, expressed his heartfelt joy and gratitude to him for honouring the invitation as his first pastoral visit since assuming office and considered it as a great privilege.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the host bishop, for the kind invitation to join the celebration and thanked the Parish priest, Very Rev. Fr. Lazarus Annyereh, for the warm welcome to the Parish.
He commended the youth for their enthusiasm and dedication, as well as the organizers for their sacrifices in making the gathering a success
Earlier, Fr. Annyereh, had welcomed the participants, led by the Diocesan Youth Chaplain, Fr. Paul Kuunoba, and other Parish Youth Chaplains who accompanied their youth to the event.
Some highlights of the World Youth Day celebration included a Bible quiz competition, a talk on peaceful election, peace walk, Beauty Pageant, diner night, and several other engaging events that fostered camaraderie, spiritual growth, and healthy competition among the participants.
The programme reached its climax with the Eucharistic celebration, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio. The Parish Priest warmly welcomed the congregation, highlighting the triple significance of the Mass: the Feast of Christ the King, the distinguished presence of the Nuncio, and the confirmation of candidates.
Pope Francis’ message to the youth on this 39th World Youth Day is truly inspiring. Which reminded young people that “those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary” (Is 40:31).
This theme is a powerful reminder that hope in the Lord gives us the strength to persevere, even in the face of challenges.
The Pope encourages young people to celebrate the Church’s mission as a vocational calling. He invites them to be “pilgrims of hope” and to embark on a journey of discovery, seeking the face of God.
In his reflection, the Apostolic Nuncio also emphasised the importance of hope in overcoming weariness and fatigue. He reminded the youth that life was a pilgrimage, and that all were called to walk without tiring, with the Lord as our companion
He reminded the young people that as they prepare for the Jubilee celebration in 2025, they should draw consolation and strength from the prophet Isaiah’s words: “Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary” (Is 40:31).
This powerful message encourages the youth to remain hopeful and steadfast in their faith, even in the face of challenges, as they journey towards the upcoming Jubilee celebration, Archbishop Kabore stated.
The Nuncio emphasised the importance of faith in shaping the future of young people. In a world marred by dishonesty, cheating, insecurity, exploitation, and illicit claims, the Pope encouraged the youth to remain hopeful and steadfast. Amidst these dramatic situations, he invited them to “set their hearts on hope” (cf. Ps 119:116), trusting that the Lord will guide them towards a brighter future.
Dilating on the readings of the day, he said Jesus Christ is seen as the victorious King, who reigns not over the world, but over hearts and minds.
Saying that Jesus was free from worldly desires and offers a Kingdom that is truly liberating, the Papal representative in Ghana reminded Christians to bear this in mind, seeking liberation from the bondage of sin and worldly temptations, and exercising restraint from the allurements of the world.
By embracing this mindset, one can truly live as citizens of God’s Kingdom, with Christ as the guiding light, he stated, urging the people of God to live a life of authenticity and integrity, freeing themselves from sinful tendencies such as fornication and vanity.
Turning to the youth, the Nuncio stressed that the life of a young person was not a trivial matter, but a precious gift from God that demands responsibility and discernment. In bearing witness to the freedom that Christ offers, we must therefore be mindful of the things of this world that can draw us away from God.
By embracing this mindset, one could truly live as children of the light, unencumbered by the burdens of sin and worldly desires.
The Nuncio highlighted the importance of being mindful of the final petition in the Lord’s Prayer: “Deliver us from evil” and encouraged the youth to pray this prayer daily, seeking protection from the temptations and allurements of the world.
To maintain a strong spiritual foundation, he urged the youth to approach the Eucharist with a clear and pure heart. He recommended seeking the intercession of the saints to aid in this pursuit.
Finally, the Nuncio invited the youth to choose a patron saint to guide and inspire them on their spiritual journey. By embracing the example and intercession of these holy men and women, the youth can deepen their faith and navigate the challenges of the world with courage and hope.
The Nuncio later confirmed twenty nine candidates who were prepared for the Sacrament.
By Sr. Juliana A. Atuuna, SMI (Sister Communicator)
