HO DIOCESAN END OF YEAR PILGRIMAGE TO THE GROTTO ENDS.
Several hundreds of Catholic faithful from all parishes and outstations participated in the 2018 Ho Diocesan End-of-Year pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Kpando-Agbenorxoe over the weekend.
The pilgrimage which was climaxed on Sunday 9th December, 2018 with the celebration of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary had in attendance various groups and confraternities in the diocese.
Among them were, the Catholic Women Association, Catholic Men Fellowship, Perpetual Help Confraternity, Charismatic Renewal, Knights of St. John International and Ladies Auxiliary, Knights and Ladies of Marshall as well as the Diocesan Mass Choir.
Also present were, Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Church (SMMC), student groups from some Senior High Schools and tertiary institutions including the Ho Nursing Training College.
A team from the Diocesan Health Service were on standby and attended to medical emergencies at the Grotto.
The Bishop of Ho Diocese, Most Rev. Fianu Emmanuel Kofi, SVD in a homily, emphasized and explained the dogma of the Immaculate Conception while giving its historical background. The consequence of this divine and singular privilege was what Mary was to become; the mother of Jesus Christ.
He called on all Christians to follow the will of God and the teachings of Christ in order to avoid sin because it disorganizes our lives. They are to imitate Mary and become shining examples in the world through their way of life.
He also used the opportunity to give a brief catechesis on the structure of Catholic liturgical celebrations as well as rubrics guiding them. The solemnity of the day, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he said, is one of the highly ranked celebrations in order of rank which requires the singing of the "Gloria", a song forbidden during the season of Advent.
Earlier on Saturday, faithful commenced the pilgrimage with a rosary procession from Kpando-Fesi to the grotto.
This was followed by the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession), Holy Mass led by Bishop Fianu, Prayer and Deliverance session as well as the Stations of the Cross.
The Bishop, before imparting the end of year blessings on pilgrims, outdoored a committee to take charge of the development of the grotto.
DEPSOCOM, HO - 2018
