The St. Michael Co-Cathedral, Keta, in the Volta Region of Ghana, marked a historic milestone on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, as it celebrated Bishop Herman Memorial Day as part of its 135th Anniversary celebrations.
The day was dedicated to commemorating the life and legacy of the Most Rev. Augustine Herman, the first Bishop of the then Lower Volta Vicariate, which included Keta, Ho, Kpando and other towns, all the way to Yendi.
The pioneering Bishop’s vision and missionary zeal laid the foundation for the spread of Catholicism in these areas, and his memory continues to inspire generations of believers, which informed the marking of his 80th anniversary of passing out to eternity.
A High Mass was celebrated at the Co-Cathedral for this anniversary, presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, SMA, the Provincial Superior of the Society of Africa Missions, (SMA) in Ghana and the President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious -Ghana (CMSR-GH), with other Priests, including the Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Elorm Gbordzor, concelebrating.
In a Welcome address, Fr. Gbordzor expressed gratitude to the people present for being part of this celebration.
He informed the congregants about the purpose of the celebration, which was to celebrate Mass of Thanksgiving for the life and work of Bishop Augustine Herman as the church marked 80 years of his birth into eternity, as part of the 135th anniversary celebrations of the Church in Keta.
He announced that the celebration was not just a day’s event but something that would be an annual celebration.
In an introductory rite, Fr. Ennin thanked the Co-Cathedral Administrator and the entire faithful of St Michael Co-Cathedral Church for inviting the SMAs to come and honour their confrere. He recalled some information he read about Keta concerning Bishop Herman. According to him, the Lower Volta Vicariate in the then Gold Coast “was known for having most schools during the time of Bishop Herman; and they said he established over 2000 schools.”
He opined that it was because of his work that the people from this part of Ghana were the most educated people. Fr. Ennin’s second finding was that, at the time of Bishop Herman, few Missionaries- Priests and Religious died as compared to other eras.
In a homily, Fr. Gbordzor acknowledged the miracles and great works God has done through the missionaries. He said God has called all Christians for mission and emphasised that Bishop Herman did an outstanding work as a missionary by building schools and nurturing lives.
He continued saying that Christ came that all might be saved and that was the mandate he gave all Christians; “and that was what Bishop Herman did, he opined.
According to Fr Gbordzor, Bishop Herman was not just a historical figure but had spiritual dimensions to all that he did. He worked with zeal. “No wonder, Bishop Herman said, ‘I will do my work as a soldier of Christ’”, Fr. Gbordzor quoted.
In a speech read on behalf of the Most Rev. Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, SVD, Bishop of Keta-Akatsi, Rev. Fr. Simon Amenuku, the Secretary to Bishop encouraged the lay faithful to reflect on the life and legacy of Bishop Herman as beneficiaries of his missionary work.
“You and I can boastfully say that we are beneficiaries of his struggles as a Missionary. We honour his enduring legacy of faith; we honour his enduring services as a missionary and his leadership as a Bishop,” he said.
He encouraged the congregants, to remember with deep respect, the late Bishop Augustine Herman, not just on his 80th anniversary of passing but to reflect on their own life as missionary agents having been baptized in the Catholic faith, as this celebration continued to linger in their ears and minds.
The liturgical celebration was followed by filing past the tomb of Bishop Herman by all the congregants, including the students. The songs were led by the Bishop Herman College brass band. Hymns composed for Bishop Herman were sung by the Co-Cathedral mass choir.
The afternoon session of the celebration commenced with a float through the streets of Keta led by the Bishop Herman College Brass Band; song ministration, Lecture and dramatisation of the life of Bishop Herman enacted by the pupils of Keta RC Mixed School just after the Memorial Lecture.
In the lecture, Fr Gbordzor revealed some of the miracles performed by Bishop Herman. Notable among them was the commanding of the Sea to recede when it ravaged Keta town and was coming to the then Cathedral.
In his closing remarks, Torgbui James Ocloo V, the Chairman of the occasion, tasked the Church to improve upon the drama to make it a real movie to showcase to the whole world, the miracles performed by Bishop Herman. He pledged his support for the Church.
Fr. Gbordzor expressed gratitude to all who joined in the celebrations, emphasising the importance of remembering the past to build a stronger future.
He noted that the Church’s 135th anniversary was not just a time for thanksgiving, but also a call to renew their missionary purpose considering the sacrifices made by early pioneers like Fr. Michael Wade, Fr. Jean Baptiste Thuet, and Bishop Herman.
According to him, the celebration of Bishop Herman Memorial Day, embedded in the larger 135th Anniversary festivities, served as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of faith, service, and community that continued to shape the identity of St. Michael Co-Cathedral and the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Keta-Akatsi and Ghana as a whole.
The solemn yet joyful occasion brought together Clergy and Religious, including SMMC Sisters, delegates from OLA Sisters, Cape Coast, Chiefs and elders, delegates from alumni of Bishop Herman College and current students, delegates from OLA Senior High School and the faithful from across the Keta-Akatsi Diocese and beyond.
Source: 135th Anniversary Communication Team of St. Michael Co-Cathedral
