In a Solemn Holy Mass celebrated in the St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, on February 8, 2025, the Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate in Ghana’s Eastern Region, officially launched the 2025 Jubilee Year celebration, under the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope, a call to become Agents of Transformation in our World”.
The launching Mass which was meant to set the pace for, and usher in activities for the Jubilee Year in the Vicariate, featured a score of Priests and Religious from the Vicariate, representatives from across the Parishes, and the Christian Community of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.
“We are gathered here this morning to officially launch our pilgrim journey with the universal church in the Apostolic Vicariate of Donkorkrom. This Mass opens a year-long prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and charitable works that we are called upon to embark on during this one year of Jubilee. We want to pray and entrust ourselves, and all the activities for this year into the hands of the Lord, trusting that with Jesus himself as our leader and guide, we will be able to embark on this journey, and attain the full fruits and benefits of this pilgrimage,” the prelate underlined.
Reflecting on the First Reading from Hebrews 13:15-17, 20-21, the Bishop underscored one of the deepest longings in the human heart, which is the desire to be loved for oneself alone, and unconditionally, stating that true and genuine love, permeates one’s whole being, which explains why Jesus “our great Shepherd of people” spent the greatest part of his public life doing good works for the needy in society, so that they could experience the joy of being loved”.
Bishop Asiedu reiterated the need for Christians to offer sacrifice of praise to God, stating that “it is not only the priests who are to offer such sacrifice on the altar, but all peoples; every Christian is to offer sacrifice of praise”.
“We are to proclaim God’s goodness, his mercy, compassion and love, and by so doing, offer him a sacrifice of praise and thanks; a sacrifice of gratitude to God,” he added.
The faithful were further urged to practice good deeds, such as showing kindness and making sacrifices for others. “We are to offer public and glad confession of our faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and offer him our loyalty. We are to offer to God a life that is never ashamed to show that we belong to God, and it is God that we serve, it is God that we live for” the Bishop underlined.
His Lordship, still in the light of the Reading, conscientized the faithful on the need to obey their leaders and collaborate with them always, “so that they may live in joy rather than in despair, sorrow, pain and frustration”. He added that an unhappy leader, be he\she religious or civil, most often than not, tends to make life more difficult for others, as he\she may not be in the right frame of mind to operate from his or her heart, and with love, mercy, compassion, understanding and warmth.
“We must give due respect and obedience to those set in authority over us in the Church and in civil life when they are present with us, and when they are absent, we must remember them in our prayers,” he emphasized.
Making further reference to the Gospel from Mark 6:30-34, where Jesus seeing the crowds looking like “sheep without a shepherd”, had compassion on them, the Chief Shepherd charged all Christians to be ‘the guiding star’ that leads to God, all who are at cross-roads and do not know which way or direction to take in life, as well as people in all kinds of needs. Christians are also to serve as a source of strength and inspiration that would lift the gaze of these underprivileged persons above themselves, to focus on God.
One of the basic requirements, as Pilgrims of Hope, according to the Prelate is that “we look at all people who are like sheep without a shepherd, first, in our own families, communities, in our Church and work places, who long to be loved, and offer them our love in some concrete, practical and concerned way”.
The Bishop prayed that in the spirit of the Jubilee Year, the life of every Christian must always point the needy to Christ, “who is the living, Bread, so that they can find true nourishment”. They are also to inspire and draw such people to faith in Christ, in whose company alone they can make their pilgrim journey with hope, safety and peace.
“In the spirit of this Holy Jubilee Year 2025, and as Pilgrims of Hope, let us confidently strive to live in closer union with the Lord Jesus and with one another, so that our hope for the blessings of peace and joy in the Kingdom of our Father would be attained,” he added.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
