In the Archdiocese of Bamenda, the Spiritual Life of the faithful is nourished through the various devotions that are organized during the course of the year.
Every month, there is the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in most of the parishes of the Archdiocese. This was intensified with the advent of the Anglophone Crisis, wherein the Bishops of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province encouraged all the Christians to use the whole of this day as a day of prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praying for the resolution of the problems plaguing Anglophone Cameroon.
Every Sunday, there is Vespers/Rosary and Benediction in most of the Parishes of the Archdiocese. During the Pastoral Week celebrations in January 2021, this was reiterated by the Archbishop, and he emphasized that all the parishes in the Archdiocese should take up this practice. Many Christians sacrifice time to be part of the recitation of Vespers/Rosary and Benediction. Over the years, the attendance has been good, and the members of the Vocations Group, the Altar Servers and Cadets of Mary take this devotion very seriously to deepen their spiritual life.
During Lent, most of the Churches in the Parishes of the Archdiocese are full to capacity because of the prayer of the Way of the Cross. This starts in some parishes as early as 5.00 a.m. and Christians come in their numbers every day. This devotional activity is normally followed by the sacrifice of the Mass. Unfortunately, some of the Christians who come for this devotional prayer do not hold on to attend the sacrifice of the Mass. Priests have not relented in their efforts to encourage the people to be part of the Stations of the Cross and also attend Mass in order to get the spiritual benefits that go with it.
Before Pentecost, the entire Archdiocese of Bamenda participates in the Novena Prayer to the Holy Spirit which is organized every year in preparation for the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost. The members of the Charismatic Renewal always seize this opportunity to organized spiritual talks during the week leading up to Pentecost. This Spiritual exercise is cherished by many who see it as a source of spiritual growth. The novena normally ends with the celebration of the Solemnity of Pentecost. Eucharistic adoration is one of the added spiritual exercises carried out during this week.
In the month of October, there is the October devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many Parishes bring their Christians together for the recitation of the Rosary either in the morning or in the evening. Families are encouraged to pray the Rosary, and the various Small Christian Communities also organize themselves and get an appropriate time in the evening when they can meet and pray the Rosary. Many individual Christians also pray the Rosary, especially during this Month.
- Archdiocesan Lenten Pilgrimage
In the Archdiocese of Bamenda, we are blessed to have the Mater Redemptoris Shrine at Jangma that was constructed and handed over to the Archdiocese of Bamenda by Mr. Fred Mubang of Blessed Memory. He was a faithful and committed Christian of St. Joseph Parish, Mankon. His Parish of origin is Queen of Peace Parish, Njimafor where the Shrine is located. Many Parishes and Deaneries within and out of the circumscription of the Archdiocese of Bamenda have been making use of this shrine for regular pilgrimages.
Down through the years, it has been a source of great spiritual nourishment as far as the spiritual wellbeing of the entire Archdiocese is concerned. Not only the Catholic Christians, but also Christians of other denominations and people of good participate in the pilgrimage. Unfortunately, due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the barrier measures put in place to curb its spread, this annual Lenten spiritual journey, although earlier planned for, was not undertaken this year.
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