PAX BONIFACE
The Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Coast has successfully climaxed its 2026 Annual Marian Pilgrimage and Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Jukwa-Krobo Marian Grotto under the theme: “With Mary, Mother of All Nations, Building Peace in a Troubled World.”
Thousands of Catholic faithful, pilgrims, religious, and clergy gathered at the sacred Marian shrine to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary and seek her maternal intercession for the Church, Ghana, and the world.
The celebration featured a variety of spiritual activities, including Marian devotions, Marian movement prayers, a solemn Marian procession with the Marian Icon and Cross, the “Behold Thy Mother” prayers, confessions, and the Holy Eucharist.
Delivering the homily during the climax celebration, reflected deeply on the significance of the feast and the urgent need for Christians to become agents of peace in a world increasingly marked by division and moral decline.
Welcoming the faithful to the celebration, the Bishop Emeritus reminded Catholics that the human body is the temple of God and encouraged all Christians to uphold modesty, dignity, and reverence in their appearance and conduct.
He emphasized that the Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is both right and fitting, describing Mary as a loving mother who continues to accompany and intercede for God’s people.
Mary: Mother and Queen of Peace
Reflecting on the theme of the pilgrimage, Bishop Essien described Mary as the Mother of all nations and the Queen of Peace. He noted that in a world plagued by violence, injustice, corruption, dishonesty, hatred, and moral decay, humanity has an even greater need for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus Christ.
According to him, modern society is experiencing a crisis of values where selfish interests often take precedence over truth, justice, and concern for others.
“Our world today is troubled by injustice, dishonesty, cheating, bribery, corruption, and a growing disregard for moral principles. We need Mary and her Son now more than ever,” he stated.
A Call to Protect God’s Creation
The Bishop also raised concerns about the destruction of the environment and the irresponsible exploitation of natural resources.
He reminded the faithful that God entrusted humanity with the responsibility of caring for creation and preserving the earth for future generations.
“We are custodians of the earth, yet we continue to destroy it because of selfishness, greed, and personal interests. The environment sustains life and provides us with the necessities we need to survive. We must protect it,” he urged.
His message echoed the Church’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship and the protection of creation as a moral responsibility for all Christians.
Peace Requires More Than the Absence of War
One of the most profound moments of the homily came when Bishop Essien challenged conventional understandings of peace.
While acknowledging Ghana’s reputation as a peaceful nation, he stressed that true peace goes beyond the absence of armed conflict.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war,” he said. “Peace requires justice, honesty, forgiveness, unity, tolerance, and mutual respect.”
He called on Christians to become ambassadors of reconciliation and builders of peace within their families, communities, workplaces, and society at large.
A Call for Prayer and Unity
In his concluding remarks, the Bishop encouraged all Catholics to deepen their devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and continually seek her intercession for a world facing numerous social, economic, political, and environmental challenges.
He reminded the faithful that Christians do not live by their own strength but by the grace of Jesus Christ, urging them to remain steadfast in faith and united in prayer.
The annual pilgrimage once again demonstrated the enduring importance of Marian devotion within the Archdiocese of Cape Coast and served as a powerful reminder of the Church’s call to promote peace, justice, environmental responsibility, and Christian unity in an increasingly troubled world.
As pilgrims departed the Jukwa-Krobo Grotto, many carried with them renewed hope and a commitment to becoming instruments of peace through the guidance and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
S Emmanuel Boniface Arthur (Pax Boniface)
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