A Mass was presided by Most Rev. Francis Bomansaan, M.Afr., Catholic Bishop of Wa in the occasion of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Sisters of Mary Immaculate (SMI) Divine Providence Generalate Chapel at Wa in the Upper West Region.
Rev. Fr. Elvis Aayel, the Chaplain of St Francis Xavier Minor Seminary, Wa, concelebrated the Mass with the Bishop.
The Superior General of the SMI, Sr. Christina Pogbeyir, invited the SMI communities within Wa to join them celebrate this important feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Assumption community, St. Francis Xavier community and Mother of Mercy community of the SMI joined the Generalate Community for the Eucharistic celebration.
In the sermon, Bishop Bomansaan said “each one of us is highly favoured by God,” stating that “Mary being favoured enables each one of us to recognize how we have been favoured in our lives.”
He encouraged the SMI Sisters to thank the Lord not only for Mary in this celebration but for the favour he has done for us and still doing for each one of us.
He indicated that what the Immaculate Conception Solemnity is a special favour done to Mary, she was conceived without original sin, therefore, “we celebrate God unconditional favour and grace to Mary and to humanity.”
He added that Mary never knew growing up that she was born in a special way and for God. She struggled, but she got to know that God’s favour was present in her life.
In her struggle, when the angel said “the Spirit of the Lord will over shadow you” is what gave Mary the strength to be able to say “I am the handmaid of the Lord.”
“Being favoured is a grace, is a blessing but that does not mean that she was spared from the tumult of the world,” he added.
Addressing the Sisters, he indicated that, for God every event of our lives is a blessing with grace depending how we receive it and take it.
Despite all that Mary knew, yet she said yes to God knowing that she will not be alone, and that pain she has gone through became a blessing for us today, he added.
By Sr. Gloria Duongnaa, SMI (Sister Communicators)
