“The greatest Saint ever is Mother Mary”: Catholic Archbishop at Conclusion of Maiden Rosary Congress in Ghana

Kumasi, 04 November, 2025 / 8:32 PM

Archbishop Gabriel Justice Yaw Anokye of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi in Ghana has urged Catholics to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary who she describes as “the greatest Saint ever.”

In his homily during the conclusion of the maiden Rosary Congress in his Metropolitan See, Archbishop Anokye reflected on the Solemnity of All Saints, reminding Christians that sainthood is within reach for all believers.

“The greatest saint ever is Mother Mary. She is because she always responded yes to the will of God,” the Ghanaian Catholic Archbishop said during the November 1 event that brought together over 30,000 pilgrims at the Kumasi Jubilee Park.

Credit: Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric

The Global Rosary Congress, which began in Tamale and continued in Accra, concluded in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi after three days of processions, prayer, and Eucharistic celebration under the theme, “Jubilee Year of Hope: Consecrating Ghana to the Blessed Trinity through devotion to the Holy Rosary.”

In his homily, Archbishop Anokye cited the 2023 canonization of Ghanaian martyr, St. Matthew Ayariga—one of 21 Coptic Christians executed in Libya—as a historic milestone and a source of national inspiration.

Credit: Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric

The Catholic Archbishop explained that one key objective of the congress was the renewal of Ghana’s consecration to God. 

He recalled that 68 years before, on the eve of independence, the nation was solemnly consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Credit: Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric

“The earth belongs to God... Ghana belongs to God, not galamseyers,” he said, lamenting the destructive impact of illegal mining (galamsey) on water bodies and urging collective moral responsibility. 

“I beg you all to pray and make the concerted effort to stop galamsey in Ghana,” he said.

Credit: Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric

At the conclusion of the liturgy,  the founder of the Global Rosary Network, Fr. David Obeng Paintsil expressed gratitude to Archbishop Anokye. 

Credit: Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric

The member of the Clergy of the Archdiocese of Cape Coast, currently serving in the Diocese of Davenport, USA, proposed the launch of a national Eucharistic Rosary Revival to renew evangelization through the combined spiritual power of the Eucharist and the Rosary.

Credit: Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric

“This initiative will strengthen the faith of practicing Catholics and inspire new converts,” Fr. Paintsil said, adding that the Global Rosary Network stands ready to support future events across Ghana’s four ecclesiastical provinces.

Fr. Francis Madonna Ayaric of Cape Coast Catholic Archdiocese contributed to this story.