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One of the frontline members of RECOW-CERAO who doubles as a Cardinal in Cape Verde has recently urged the Catholic Faithful to “live with hope and deep friendship with God”. This call was contained a well-arranged homily delivered on the Solemnity of the Assumption of our blessed Mother, Mary.

Details of the news have it that on the occasion of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary marked August 15, the Bishop of Cape Verde’s Catholic Diocese of Santiago has called on the faithful to embrace lives of hope, determination, and deep friendship with God.

In his homily during the Eucharistic celebration at Our Lady Grace Cathedral of Santiago Diocese, Arlindo Cardinal Gomes Furtado emphasized the significance of the Assumption as a reminder of the destiny that awaits all believers.

Cardinal Furtado reflected on the meaning of the Assumption, explaining that just as Mary was taken body and soul into heaven, so too will the faithful share in God’s glory according to His divine plan.

“We are on our way, and the days will come when we too must participate, according to God’s plan, in the same glory as God,” he said, describing Mary as the first to enter this divine fullness, leading the way for others to follow.

The Cardinal encouraged Christians to “live with hope and determination, to focus on doing good, and to hold fast to God’s hands, much like Mary did.”

The Local Ordinary of Santiago underscored the importance of cultivating a profound relationship with God, stating that all the faithful are called to “live in great friendship with the Creator, who grants the grace of eternal joy in heaven alongside Mary.”

He addressed the current state of the world, which he described as being marked by persistent conflict and strife.

“We live in a time where conflict often seems to have the dominant voice,” Cardinal Furtado said, urging the congregation to remember that God is present and is a God of peace.

He encouraged the faithful to maintain open and generous hearts, capable of reflecting God’s love to others.

The Cardinal emphasized the importance of turning to God and to the Blessed Virgin Mary for comfort and guidance, especially during challenging times.

The Eucharistic celebration was preceded by a procession, which brought together the faithful from all over the island, as well as devotees of Our Lady of Mercy.

In his August 15 homely, the Cape Verdean Cardinal also spoke about the symbolic nature of the traditional procession through the streets of Praia, which represents the Christian belief in an ongoing spiritual journey.

“This movement of physical walking symbolizes our spiritual walk, that we are existential pilgrims, that we are not settled or even stopped at death, and beyond death, we continue our existential walk to the glory of God,” he said.

Rev. Fr. George Nwachukwu
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