Christians in the Catholic Diocese of Banjul on Wednesday converged to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady, Sainte Marie (locally pronounced ‘Sang Marie’). This is the day set aside by Christians, particularly Catholics, to celebrate that most glorious of mysteries - the assumption of Mary - body and soul to Heaven. She was indeed, according to scriptures, a favoured person of God, a fact manifested not only by the mystery of the virgin birth, but also through her life and final rising into heaven. Humanity has also honored her with a vast accolade of tributes and epithets: Mother of Divine grace Queen of Angels, Tower of David, Virgin most pure, Comforter of the Afflicted, Mother Inviolate, Mystical Rose , among numerous other titles.

Taking after the early Christians who arrived here on August 15 from Goree, Christians have maintained the date and taken it as a day of celebration of Our Lady’s assumption into heaven, and a special feast day for the diocese of Banjul.

Christians attended Mass in different churches in the morning and gathered at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church at Campama, in Banjul, for a procession, with singing of solemn Marian Songs, all the way to the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady at Hagan Street (now Daniel Goddard Street). The statue of our lady, which was mounted on a high pedestal, could be seen from all angles. It will be recalled that Banjul (Island of St Mary), The Kombos (Kombo St Mary), and the Bakau area (Cape St Mary) were all named in honour of Mary, mother of Jesus. So also were the Anglican Cathedral in Banjul (St Mary’s Cathedral) and the Catholic Cathedral on Hagan Street (Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption). So the procession was from that point of view also a fitting display and tribute.

The congregation converged for vespers in a full church.

In his homily, Bishop Robert Patrick Ellison said that Mary the mother of God was as one hanging between Heaven and earth. According to the Bishop, Mary was a shining example in everything people longed to achieve. No mother, he said would want to stay away from her children. Mary belongs to the offspring of those first parents. “She is in heaven as a patron of the church and a sign of hope.

The day was spent with much joy and celebration in Christian homes and at the Cathedral in Banjul. The celebration was attended by many Christians and Muslim friends. Fr. Edu Gomez, the Cathedral Administrator, thanked all present for their attendance and active participation.