The Most Rev. John Alphonse Asiedu, SVD, Bishop of Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate in Ghana’s Eastern Region, has encouraged the faithful of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Amankwakrom, to imitate Mary Magdalene in her faith in, love for, and hope in the Resurrection of Jesus.
He said this in a homily during the April 4, 2026 Easter Vigil Mass at Amankwakrom, where he was the chief celebrant. The Mass was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. John Felix Awaitey Formedza Jnr., Parish Priest of the host Church.
The Chief Shepherd reflected on the courage of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, who defied all odds to be at Jesus’ tomb in the early hours of the morning; a rare act for women (Matthew 28:1-10). He maintained that their courage was fuelled by “the faith they had in Jesus, the love they had for him, and the hope they had in the Resurrection which Jesus had preached about”.
He added that it was because of their courage that the two women had the privilege to witness the Resurrection of the Lord, first-hand.
Challenging the Parishioners to reflect on their faith, love and hope in Christ’s Resurrection; virtues which should equally give them the courage of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, the prelate underpinned that the Resurrection does not only end at witnessing, but in becoming messengers to the rest of the world, just like the two Mary’s after witnessing, became messengers to the disciples.
“We are also messengers because we are also hearing the Good News of the Risen Lord. We also have to go and spread that Good News, with the courage that we have because of our faith in Jesus, because of our love for him, and because of the hope we have in his Resurrection,” he reiterated, sharing the firm belief that if the Christians continued to hold firm to Christ’s teachings, they will also share in his Resurrection.
Bishop Asiedu further opined that the reason why Jesus chose to go to no other place but Galilee, to meet his disciples after his Resurrection, was because his earthly mission had been in Galilee. That was where he called the Apostles. It was in Galilee that the Apostles had their first encounter with him.
Touching on the First Reading on the Creation story (Gen. 1:1-2:2), the prelate drew the attention of the faithful to God’s merciful love for his Creation, manifested in his willingness to forgive them and draw them back to Himself after they separated themselves from His love by sinning; by destroying the harmonious relationship that existed between God and humanity and all of creation.
Adding, the Bishop underscored that the love of God for humanity was further demonstrated by His sending His only Son to come and die for the sins of humankind, highlighting that the death of Christ was to reconcile humanity once more to God and to one another.
For the Catechumens who were going to be baptized during the Vigil Mass, his Lordship prayed that they may gain the courage of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, since they too, were going to be baptized “in faith; they were going to be baptized because they have fallen in love with Jesus, and they also hope in the Resurrection, which Jesus preached about”. That they may continue to grow in this faith, hope, and love, so that they may never leave the Catholic Church, into which they were being received, sacramentally.
“Let us pray for them, and for ourselves, that the Lord will give us that same courage to proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection,” he implored.
The newly baptized also received their First Holy Communion during the Mass.
Present at the Easter Vigil Mass were: Mr. Lazarus Nyuurbome and Mrs. Diana Terkemuureh, a couple from Holy Trinity Parish, Tamale, who were on a courtesy visit to the Bishop. Also present were the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary (MSHR) working at the Holy Rosary Catholic Health Centre, Amankwakrom, among other Parishioners.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
