Africa diaspora in America honor God's marvels through social and cultural liturgy during the celebration of the Saints of Africa event

A poster announcing the event

The Most Reverend Evelio Menjivar-Ayala, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington; Rev. Robert Boxie III, Bishop-elect of the Archdiocese of Washington; the Most Reverend Peter Eberechukwu Okpaleke, Bishop of the Diocese of Ekwulobia in Nigeria; Father Angel Gabriel Fermín, the Pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows; and many guest priests presided over the celebration of Saints of Africa-2026 held at the Our Lady of Sorrows, Takoma MD.

The Celebration of the Saints of Africa was held on Saturday, June 6 at 4:00 p.m. ET. The theme for this year was “United in Christ, We Walk in the Light of God” Hebrews 10:23”. This Mass celebration was organized by the African Catholic Association (ACA) with the support of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Our Lady of Sorrows is located at 1006 Larch Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912.

Many others were part of organizing this event key of whom are: Rev. Fr. Ebuka Mbanude at mbanudee@adw.org; Deogratias Miti Kawunde at 240-605-7987 or acadmvinfo@gmail.com; Colette Tumenta at 240-302-0975 or yayatumenta@yahoo.com; and Alex Danco at 571-337-9797 or lexidan6771@aol.com.

Africa Catholic diaspora in America revitalize reverence to God through social and cultural liturgy. Our public display of hope, love and faith continue to make us witnesses and missionaries.  We are promised eternity by a loving God. We are catalysts of the Lord's prayer most especially as co-creators acknowledging "thy kingdom come" and our vulnerability wrapped in garbs of humility  together  opening ways for "thy will be done."

We serve God out of gratitude through many ways. One of this is to set time aside to participate in activities that revere God and increase joyfulness amongst us. It can be every day acts of life or liturgical pursuance. The acts resonate with Saint Francis of Assisi's exhortation to "preach the Gospel and if necessary use words."  We build and maintain means to be participants in the Sacraments for example, the Holy Eucharistic, Penance, Baptism, Confirmation, Holy oils, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the sick and Confession. In participating in the Sacraments we publicly show our hope, love and faith. The African Diaspora in America converts these virtues through individual spheres of influence.

The Ghanaian Catholic community in America bore witness of Christ on this day during the celebration of Saints of Africa. They co-hosted a memorable event which is now part of a collective memory and narrations about God. It was also a day for the Africa diaspora in America to showcase how social cultural events will be part of the activities maintaining humans on a path to God.

I enjoyed. The Mass was a triumphal magnet where all who met at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Takoma MD, partook in adoration and Divine presence dancing like flames that warmed our hearts individually. A child repeated a chorus from one of the hymns after its last note had long ceased. A parent quietened the child. Three adolescents bobbed their heads to the beat of a hymn. An elderly usher nodded in assent to key messages during the Homily. I was among many somewhere in the last pews. I felt a peace that soothingly fed my body and soul.

 After Mass, we were invited to a reception where I had the chance to talk to many people some from South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Mexico, Philippines, and Ethiopia to name but a few countries represented. The room filled not only with happy people but perceptible vibrancy, joy and a sense of accomplishment. This was yet another event that informs many about the gifts and promises of God in our midst. I volunteered to ferry chairs. We were served delicious West African dishes. I saw the many people from Africa and other parts of the world seeing each other and communicating among themselves in those universal expressions such whispers or shouts of joy and excitement. We were entertained through poetry recitals, open mike presentations and music. I danced.

I asked two colleagues to give me a lift up to Takoma Metro Station to return to my place 3 miles away.  While on the Metro my mind was playing the events back and forth. Africans adore God with reverence and joyfulness at the same time. So, one can imagine giving joy while getting it at the same time. It is therapeutic as much as it is like taking small sips from a cup of spirituality that center God in our quest for a fuller exemplary life. Participating in social and cultural events that elevate the presence of God remind me of a bumper sticker wording "You are what you eat."

Africa Diaspora Catholics have turned their social and cultural events as enduring reverent extensions through which we can continue to enhance the beauty and experience of the kingdom of God in America. Each and every one of us has a role to play as a bricklayer and builder of God's kingdom. All of us are beneficiaries of the promise of God's eternity. Let us act as if it matters to us quiremarkedly.