The Catholic Bishop for Damongo, Most Rev. Peter Paul Yelezuomeh Angkyier has called on Catholics to embrace a life of active faith and missionary commitment, delivering a stirring homily at the climax of the three-day pilgrimage to the Our Lady of the Annunciation (OLA) Grotto in Sonyor.
The pilgrimage, held from March 23 to 25 under the theme “With Mary, Let It Be Done to Me According to Your Word” (Luke 1:38), drew priests, religious, and lay faithful from across the Catholic Diocese of Damongo and beyond.
Preaching on the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Bishop Peter Paul Angkyier reflected on the profound moment when the Blessed Virgin Mary accepted God’s call to become the Mother of the Savior. He described her response “Let it be done to me according to your word” as a model of courage, humility, and total surrender to God’s will.
“Mary was young and inexperienced, yet she trusted completely in God’s plan,” the Bishop said. “Her ‘yes’ brought salvation into the world. Today, God awaits our own ‘yes’.”
The Bishop emphasized that the message of the Annunciation is not only about Mary, but about the mission entrusted to every baptized Christian. Referencing the teaching of Pope Francis, he stressed that evangelization is the responsibility of all, not just clergy or religious leaders.
“Many are content with attending Mass and receiving Communion,” he noted. “But the Gospel calls us to more to go out, to witness, and to bring Christ to others.”
He challenged the faithful to reflect on the vast number of communities yet to be reached within the diocese, noting that despite 30 years of its establishment, much work remains.
Most Rev. Peter Paul Angkyier underscored that authentic Christian witness demands sacrifice and commitment. Drawing parallels between Mary’s surrender and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, he reminded the congregation that discipleship often requires stepping out of comfort zones.
“If we are unwilling to be inconvenienced, we cannot advance the mission,” he warned. “Like Mary, we must be ready to offer ourselves for the good of others.”
Encouraging the faithful not to be discouraged by their limitations, the Bishop reassured them of God’s abiding presence. Just as the Holy Spirit empowered Mary, he said, so too will believers be strengthened in their mission.
“The same Spirit that overshadowed Mary is with us today,” he affirmed. “If we trust in God, He will accomplish great things through us.”
The homily concluded with a call to gratitude for missionaries, parents, catechists, and all who have passed on the faith. The Bishop entrusted the future of evangelization to Mary, describing her as the “Star of the New Evangelization” and a guiding force for the Church.
The pilgrimage ended on a note of spiritual renewal, with participants encouraged to return to their communities as renewed witnesses of faith, inspired by Mary’s example and committed to spreading the Gospel.
As the faithful departed the OLA Grotto, the message was clear: the mission of the Church continues and every believer has a role to play.
Source: Padfm.com.gh/Kumatey Gorden/0243531604
