Sister Esther Kutie, SVI, from the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, took part in a historic three-day pilgrimage organised for the youth of Christ the King Cathedral in Sunyani.
This event took place from July 2 to July 5, 2026, and included visits to Cape Coast, Elmina, and Takoradi.
The pilgrimage was coordinated by the Parish Pastoral Council Executives and the Parish Youth Council of the Sunyani Christ the King Cathedral.
The theme for the event was “Catholic Youth on Mission: Youthfully Empowered and Sent.”
Sr. Esther was involved in the pilgrimage as a member of the planning committee for the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani’s Year of the Youth for 2026/2027.
She was there with two other Committee members: Sir Knight Emmanuel Taamoako, the President of the Cathedral Church, and Madam Joyce Osei Bonsu, who served as the former Ghana National Catholic Youth President from 2019 to 2021.
This pilgrimage was part of the activities for the Year of the Youth, aimed at revitalizing and mobilizing the youth within the cathedral parish.
As a result, the event brought together approximately 123 young people from the cathedral Parish.
The Cathedral youth chaplain, Rev. Fr. Stephen Kumah, and Deacon Rev. Emmanuel Konadu participated in the pilgrimage, providing spiritual nourishment through the celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the event.
The youth began their pilgrimage with a Eucharistic celebration on Thursday evening, July 2, 2026, at Christ the King Cathedral in Sunyani, with the Cathedral administrator, Rev. Fr. Joseph Domfeh, serving as the main celebrant.
Fr. Domfeh was overwhelmed by the large turnout of youth for the pilgrimage and encouraged them to let the experience positively influence their attitudes towards church activities.
He urged the youth to return empowered for God’s work and informed them of the church’s plan to organize a nationwide tour, encouraging them to visibly demonstrate the impact of this first pilgrimage.
During the three-day pilgrimage, the youth stayed at St. Peter’s Major Seminary in Padu, in the Archdiocese of Cape Coast.
They had the opportunity to visit the Elmina Castle, National Kakum Park, St. Joseph Minor Basilica in Elmina (the first Catholic Church in Ghana), Vienna Beach, and the Western Navy Command in Takoradi.
The main objectives of the pilgrimage were to deepen the faith and spiritual life of the youth, foster unity, friendship, and collaboration among them, expose them to Ghana’s rich religious and historic heritage, empower young Catholics to become active witnesses of Christ in their communities, and strengthen their missionary awareness in response to the church’s call.
As part of the pilgrimage activities, there was an open forum for discussion among the youth on how to revitalize engagement in the Parish.
Fr. Stephen Kumah, in his homily, stated that many young people often feel unheard and believe their ideas are ignored.
Today’s youth seek evidence for their beliefs, like the disciple Thomas, who doubted the resurrection of Christ.
From that doubt, he famously proclaimed, “My Lord and my God” when Christ showed him his hands and side. The youth were encouraged not to give up if they felt overlooked, but to strive for understanding.
On the second day of the excursion, during Holy Mass, Rev. Emmanuel Konadu, speaking in alignment with the day’s readings (Am 9:11-15/Ps 84:9,11-14/Mt 9:14-17), encouraged the youth to recognize that when everything seems to come to an end, God sees a new beginning for us.
He urged his listeners to embrace conversion by placing their trust in the Lord.
In his homily on the last day of the excursion at the Minor Basilica in Elmina of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, Rev. Fr. Stephen Appianti, an associate priest of the Basilica, encouraged the faithful with the Lord’s invitation, “Come to me.”
He emphasized that individuals need not wait to be whole, perfect, fit, or strong to approach the Lord; instead, they should come to Him in their weaknesses, struggles, pains, and illnesses, for the Lord is aware of their burdens.
“Jesus is not far from us; He is just a prayer away,” he added, admonishing the congregation to seek Jesus in prayer. Fr. Appianti reminded the faithful of some qualities of Jesus Christ as a shepherd, brother, humble, and meek, stating that once they turn to Jesus, they must learn to imitate His qualities so they can positively influence others in their lives.
Furthermore, he encouraged everyone to respond to the Lord’s call amidst their burdens.
Fr. Kumah, in his homily during the Thanksgiving Mass on Thursday, July 9, 2026, admonished the youth not to disappoint God, the Bishop, the Pastoral Council, and even themselves, stating that the church has never given up on them and that they are very dear to the church.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI (Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana, CASCON-GH)
