His Lordship Bishop Willybard Lagho, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Malindi, led a significant pilgrimage of hope on Saturday, at the New St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Wema Parish. The event, which marked the opening of the "Door of Hope" for the Year of Jubilee 2025, brought together hundreds of faithful who gathered to pray and reflect.
In his homily, Bishop Lagho encouraged the congregation to not only reflect on their personal sins but also to seek repentance on collective sins, particularly for communities, organizations, villages etc. He emphasized that the journey of faith calls for collective repentance, urging Christians to look beyond their individual wrongdoings and offer prayers for the sins done as a collective.
"The pilgrimage of hope is an opportunity for all of us to come together and renew our commitment to God," said the Bishop. "We must open our hearts not only for our own sins but for the sins of those around us. As a community, we must lift each other in prayer and supplication."
A highlight of the event was the Bishop's blessing of the parish, marking the newly built St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church as a sacred place for worship. This blessing ensures that local Christians can now access a holy place of prayer without the need to travel long distances to attend Mass, providing a much-needed spiritual haven in the area.
Bishop Lagho also spoke on the significance of fasting during the Lenten season, urging the faithful to embrace the 40 days of fasting as a way of purifying their bodies and souls. He called on the Christians to practice self-discipline and self-denial, not only from food but from any form of excess or indulgence, as a means of drawing closer to God.
“Let us fast, not just by abstaining from food, but by offering our hearts and minds to God. By denying ourselves the things of this world, we open our hearts to the spiritual nourishment that comes only from Heaven,” Bishop Lagho said. “In this way, our bodies become temples of the Holy Spirit, and we make room for God’s grace to enter our lives.”
The Bishop’s words resonated deeply with the congregation, many of whom had come from various parts of the deanery to participate in the pilgrimage. The service, which included prayers, hymns, and reflections, marked the continuation of the Year of Jubilee, a time of grace and spiritual renewal for Catholics worldwide.
The Christians embraced the message of repentance, hope, and renewal, reflecting on their personal spiritual journeys during the Lenten season of 2025. This period of introspection is also an opportunity for Christians across Kenya to contemplate on “THE KENYA WE DESIRE”. One rooted in justice, unity, and compassion, aligning their faith with the collective desire for a better future.