The Keta-Akatsi Diocesan Youth organized its annual Lenten Walk and Retreat at the St. Michael Co-Cathedral, Keta, bringing together hundreds of young Catholics for a day of spiritual renewal, reflection, and fellowship.
The event, which aimed at strengthening the faith of the youth during the Lenten season, began with a solemn processional walk through the streets of Keta, starting from St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, Dzelukope to St. Michael Co-Cathedral, Keta on Saturday, March 22, 2025.
The walk symbolised the Christian journey of penance and renewal during which the participants engaged in rosary prayers, hymns and meditations, creating an atmosphere of deep spirituality.
At the Co-Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Michael Elorm Gbordzor, the Co-Cathedral Administrator, welcomed the youth and gave them a brief history of the Co-Cathedral. According to him, the Catholic Church in Keta had given birth to all the parishes in the Diocese and some other Dioceses in the country.
The retreat session featured scripture readings, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sacrament of confessions.
In a talk delivered on the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope, a time to renew the youth” which was derived from the theme of the Jubilee Year 2025, by Rev. Fr. Godsway Alato, Assistant Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul Parish, Aflao, challenged the youth to practice their faith in practical ways, emphasizing the importance of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, especially during this Lenten Season.
The Diocesan Youth Chaplain, who doubles as the Parish Priest of St. Mary Quasi Parish, Hatorgodo, Rev. Fr. Edwin Edem Fiawornu, in his exhortation, told the youth to stay committed to their faith. He urged them to continue to strengthen their faith and be committed to the Church’s activities.
Fr. Fiawornu asserted that those of them that participated in the programme had received a spiritual power which would help them in their Christian journey.
“When you go back to your various stations and parishes, there should be a difference between you and those that did not participate in this programme. The power you have received in Keta should be reflected in your lives”, he advised.
In an exclusive interview with the Diocesan Youth Coordinator, Mr. Nicholas Woedem Kwesi Kodzo, he made known that one of the reasons for changing the usual venue for the annual Lenten Walk from Dzodze Tornu to St. Michael Co-Cathedral, Keta was purposely to pass through the Holy Door opened at the Co-Cathedral.
According to him, the main objective for this year’s Lenten retreat is to renew themselves and to re-examine their live as the Catholic youth of the Diocese. “In every man’s life, there comes a time when you have to examine your life. As the saying goes, an unexamined life is not worth living,” he opined.
Mr. Kwesi Kodzo pointed out some of the challenges the youth faced in their lives and in their faith journey, highlighting financial constraints as the major one.
He said as a way of addressing their financial challenges, they are organizing the youth to have a forum to discuss how they can resolve their challenges rather than always depending on the parishes for support.
He described the event as a remarkable success, highlighting the enthusiasm of the participants. He expressed gratitude to the Diocese, parish leaders, and organizers for their support in making the program impactful.
He was with the view that the presence of the Priests and Religious among them gave them the hope and the assurance that they have the religious to stand by them.
The participants shared testimonies of how the retreat deepened their spiritual connection with God and prepared them for the Easter season. Many expressed hope that such initiatives would continue to foster unity and spiritual growth among young Catholics in the Diocese.
The Lenten Walk and Retreat has become a key annual event for the Keta-Akatsi Diocesan Youth, serving as a platform to revive faith, promote moral values, and encourage active participation in the Church’s mission.
The day was concluded with a Holy Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Roger Govina, SC which was preceded by an intercessory prayer session led by Rev Fr. Stephen Avinu, Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Parish, Abor.
Present also at the occasion were Rev. Fr. Simon Amenuku, Rev. Fr. Augustine Atsu Awudi, MCCJ, Rev. Fr. Felix David Tay, Rev. Fr. Seth Tuagbor, Rev. Fr. Achille Dansu, MCCJ, Rev. Fr. Wisdom Amegble, Sr. Ernestina Torsoo, SMMC, Sr. Angela Ahali, SMMC, Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC and some Seminarians.
By Sr. Agnes Mercy Nyatsoe, SMMC (Sr. Communicator)
