By Evelyn Jock
After nine grace-filled days of the Rosary Novena, during which the faithful of all races and backgrounds gathered in unity, praying, singing in a joint choir, and expressing deep love and devotion to Mary, the journey reached its beautiful culmination on the Feast of the Assumption, 15th August.
The celebration began in the Parish Hall with the recitation of the Holy Rosary, followed by the Crowning of Mary. She was lovingly adorned with fresh, vibrant flowers and reverently placed upon a pedestal, a powerful symbol of her queenship and our collective affection and honour for her. From there, a prayerful procession made its way to the grotto, where the solemn Eucharistic Celebration of the Assumption took place. Throughout the Mass, the skies remained calm and mild. Remarkably, it was only after the celebration concluded that the rain began to pour a quiet, gentle blessing from above, allowing the faithful to complete their devotions in peace and gratitude.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Julius D. Gitom, with concelebrants Rev. Fr. David A. Garaman and Rev. Fr. Mitchelly Kiun, proclaimed the Solemnity of the Assumption as an auspicious and significant day for our parish, St. Mary’s Cathedral. The feast is a profound celebration of our faith: it was God’s divine plan that Mary’s body would be preserved from corruption and assumed, body and soul, into heaven. As the Mother of God, Mary is rightly honoured as the Queen of Heaven and Earth.
This great feast is not only a celebration of Mary’s glorification, but also a reminder to each of us of our ultimate hope, to be united one day with God, with Mary, the saints, and the angels in heaven. Bishop Julius reminded the congregation that God calls each of us daily but that they must observe three things to be able to receive His grace, such as cooperating and walking with Him, coming to know Him personally through prayer and living the commandments faithfully. And in this daily journey of faith, we are never alone, for Mary, our loving Mother, faithfully walks with us, guiding, interceding, and comforting us with a mother’s heart. Whatever our vocations, whether as priests, religious, or laity, we are all called to be obedient to God’s will. Like Mary, we are invited to rejoice even in the midst of trials. Mary herself endured many hardships: conceiving a child before marriage, making the difficult journey from Nazareth to visit her cousin Elizabeth while pregnant, and most painfully, standing at the foot of the Cross as her only Son gave His life for the world. Yet through every challenge, Mary remained steadfast, full of faith and conviction that God was with her. Her unwavering trust and obedience serve as a powerful example for us all. In moments of uncertainty, sorrow, or struggle, we are reminded through Mary’s life that God never abandons us, and that with faith, we too can carry our crosses with hope and grace.