11 February, 2025
By Sr. Emmanuella Akweongo, SHCJ
The Jubilee 2025 Celebration of Consecrated Men and Women brought together over 800 religious men and women from 85 congregations across Ghana for a four-day event filled with spiritual renewal and reflection at the Diocesan Pastoral, Social, and Retreat Centres, Sunyani Ghana. The theme, Pilgrims of Hope, called us to renew our commitment as consecrated individuals and reflect on our role in renewing the face of the earth.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as we gathered for this national celebration. A prayerful opening set the tone for the days ahead. The Religious Bishops were present.
On Saturday, February 1st, we gathered early in the morning for a Holy Mass, marking a spiritually significant moment for the community. Following the Mass, the event shifted focus to an environmental awareness campaign, the topics discussed were as follows:
- Jubilee of Hope: A lay persons’ Perspective on the role of Consecrated persons in the church and society.
- Jubilee Year: A time to sow seeds of Hope as Consecrated persons.
- Pilgrims of Hope: Opportunities, challenges and the way forward emphasizing the importance of ecological responsibility and care for God’s creation.
An environmental awareness campaign on illegal mining was launched, highlighting the dangers of this practice and the importance of preserving the environment. This was followed by a cleanup exercise in Sunyani, where we actively contributed to keeping the local environment clean, showcasing our commitment to both spiritual and environmental renewal.
The final day, Sunday 2nd February 2025, included a solemn Eucharistic celebration, marking the peak of the gathering at Christ the King Cathedral, Sunyani. The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana; Most Rev Jullien Kabore was our main Celebrant.
We renewed our vows, committing ourselves once again to the service of the Church and society. The closing session offered an opportunity for reflection on the experiences of the past days, and a prayer of thanksgiving was offered for the renewal of our vows and the strength to continue our mission.
