As part of their Media and Communications training taking place in Kumasi from May 6 to 14, Sister Communicators in Ghana, visited St. Peter’s Minor Basilica with the aim of gathering information and write news on significant places in the capital city, Kumasi.
The Sisters toured historical sites within the Basilica, visiting the graveside of Archbishop Thomas K. Mensah and learnt about the empty tomb designated for future Bishops. The team also prayed the Regina Caeli at 12 noon at the tomb of Archbishop Mensah.
Mr. Paul Atta Frimpong, Finance Officer of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi Communications Office, took the Sisters round the Minor Basilica.
The St. Peter’s Minor Basilica is the first to be created in Ghana on June 2, 2004. Currently, Ghana has four Minor basilicas, the first, St. Peter’s; second, Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Navrongo created on May 17, 2006; third, St. Joseph at Elmina in the Cape Coast Archdiocese created on March 11, 2007 and fourth, St. Theresa at Nandom in the Wa Diocese created on November 12, 2008.
A Minor Basilica is a Church of historical and architectural value which has “particular importance for the liturgical and pastoral life” of some place. In essence, it is the Pope’s Church in some place around the world. Minor Basilicas are specifically tasked with celebrating the feasts of the liturgical year with great care and attention. “The word of God is to be diligently proclaimed either in homilies or in special sermons. The active participation of the faithful is to be promoted both in the Eucharistic celebration and in the celebration of the liturgy of the hours.”
On numerous days of the year, “The faithful who devoutly visit the basilica and within it participate in any sacred rite or at least recite the Lord’s Prayer and the profession of faith may obtain a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions.”
In addition to excellence in the fostering of the Sacred Liturgy, Minor Basilicas are to be places of instruction in the Catholic Faith and evangelization.
The May 10, 2024 visit was an enriching experience, providing insight into the history and activities of St. Peter’s Basilica, Kumasi.
The Sister Communicators left with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Catholic Archdiocese’s work in the Ashanti region.
“The Minor Basilica is spiritual place I recommend to all Sisters in Ghana to endeavour to visit,” said one of the Sisters, who fe that Sisters could start writing feature articles on historical places of the Church in Ghana.
The 9-day Media Training is the brain child of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious, Ghana (CMSR-GH) with financial support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, a U.S.A charitable foundation.
The Project for Sister Communicators from ten different Religious Institutes in Ghana is being implemented on behalf of the CMSR-GH by the Sisters of Mother of the Church (SMMC) with Sr. Cecilia Afari, SMMC as the Project Coordinator.
The Sisters had earlier visited the offices of the cCtholic Archdiocese of (CAK) TV during which Mr. Frimpong provided a brief overview of the office’s establishment and activities, including live streaming of events and ceremonies, as well as recording events for Kessben TV on Thursday nights.
Meanwhile, as part of the tour, the Sisters led by their facilitators from Global Newswatch Media and Communications attended a press conference to announce the premier movie titled: “The Catholic Priest (Touch not my anointed).”
The actors in the movie include two Catholic Priests, Rev. Frs. Michael Owusu Boateng, a Vice Rector of the St. Peter’s Minor Basilica and Emmanuel Effah, Director of the Kumasi Archdiocesan Communications Office. Their inclusion into the movie was permitted by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi after the scripted was scrutinised and approved by him.
The movie writer, a new convert to Catholicism, Madam Helena shared her inspiration for the film, which came after her several visits to and prayers at the Buoho Grotto in the Konongo-Mampong Diocese.
By Participants: Srs. Francesca Yaa Konadu, SIJ; Gifty Anastasia Blewu, SMMC; Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR; and Rebecca Asante, SVI
