The shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Mboka inaugurated last May 5th by the resident bishop of Mamfe, Mgr. Andrew Nkea played host to over 600 pilgrims of the one family diocese of Mamfe.
This first ever diocesan pilgrimage to the shrine at Mboka became the kickstarter of the Marian Year for Peace declared by the bishop on August 15th, 2019 at St. Joseph Cathedral Mamfe.
The event which started with the convergence of the pilgrims from all over the diocese at the entrance to the City of God Mboka was marked by a solemn Rosary procession through the Way of the Cross to the grotto of Our Lady of Fatima.
In the course of the procession the pilgrims were able to gaze on the face of Christ as dandled on the knees of His beloved Mother Mary as they recited all 20 decades of the Rosary.
The pilgrims equally seized the opportunity to make peace with God in the sacrament of reconciliation.
The pilgrims then moved into the Chapel for a two hour Holy Mass precised over by Bishop Nkea and concelebrated by over 45 priests.
It was actually a picture of the Church of Mamfe gathered around the Chief Shepherd invoking the maternal intercession of Mary Queen of Peace over our troubled nation Cameroon.
Immediately after the proclamation of the Gospel the Episcopal decree establishing the Marian Year for Peace was read. The reading was welcomed by a thunderous exclamation of the Magnificat led by then u come One Family Choir.
In his homily, the bishop gave a historical backgrounds of the Mary’s title “Queen of Peace” by acknowledging Pope Benedict XV’s addition to the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Explaining the source of the said papal inspiration as well as his for the said year for Peace, the bishop mentioned the battle of Lepanto – a historical event which anchors the faith of the people on the power of Our Lady’s intercession in times of war and unrest.
The Prelate also recommended to the entire Church of Mamfe a sixth decade of the Rosary solely for this year for Peace thanks to which they are expected to recite the phrase: “Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.”
The charismatic Man of God wrapped up his reflection with a statement of faith gleaned from the Memorare prayer – a statement summed up in the declaration that whoever implores the name of Mary for any intention within this year will not go unanswered.
The Mass continued with decorum effected by the One Family Choir whose choice of songs and their manner of rendering them could not but facilitate the active participation of the Eucharistic Assembly.
At the of the Mass, the entire diocese was informed about the eventual commencement of the Diocesan Micro Una Familia Bank whose official opening was slated for Sunday, October 20th, 2019 at 11:15 am.
At the end of the Mass, the pilgrims were handed some well prepared packed food to ensure that the body just like the soul is energized. The pilgrims ate while listening to and watching Fr. Louis Nyah display his most recent composition dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, Mboka.
The subsequent departure of the pilgrims with delight and spiritual upliftment only showcased their readiness to return at the appropriate moment in keeping with the calendar for the visits of the various groups and institutions to the same shrine in the course of the said Marian Year.
*Communication Office Mamfe*