Burkina Faso’s Evangelization Jubilee: Vatican Secretary of State Urges Catholics to Embrace Integrity, “joyful hope”

He continued, "Celebrating 125 years of evangelization is about singing the Magnificat, contemplating the beauty of the Virgin Mary, and reflecting that beauty within ourselves.”

“Our celebration demonstrates how brightly the Catholic Church shines throughout the world. For me, this is a genuine reason to give thanks,” he further said.

The Vatican Cardinal paid tribute to the missionaries, who pioneered the spreading of the Christian faith to Burkina Faso, acknowledged the achievements of the Gospel in the country, and invited the people of God to pray for an end to violent conflicts in the country. 

He also conveyed a message of support from the Holy Father, saying that Pope Francis “has entrusted me with the mission of conveying his paternal greetings, heartfelt congratulations, and solidarity, along with his fervent wishes for a Church Family that shines ever brighter and for a country liberated from all forms of violence; a country where the victory of life over death, of good over evil, can be celebrated."

Reflecting on the Beatitudes in the Sunday Gospel of Luke reading, the Italian-born Cardinal said that poverty, when understood as a disposition of the heart that acknowledges dependence on God opens believers to His graces. 

“The poor of the Beatitudes is therefore the person who is in need of God, while the rich fool idolizes himself,” he warned, and urged Christians to recognize material wealth as “a gift from God and are destined for all.”

Accumulating wealth, the Cardinal said, while other “human beings live in humiliating conditions constitutes an injustice that cries out to heaven.”

He called upon youths and catechumens to resist the allure of false idols such as materialism and self-image. “The Lord calls you to detoxify so as not to remain a polluted and polluting being,” he said.

The Vatican Secretary of State encouraged educators and parents to make their respective institutions "schools of peace, integrity, prudence, discernment, endurance, and abnegation."

To orphans, he said, “Do not be afraid, for God is really your father.” 

To the displaced, the Cardinal assured them of God's abiding presence, saying, “God is your faithful companion on the journey.”

He emphasized the need to foster active trust in God. Cardinal Parolin said, “Faith is a love that shapes us now for eternal life. The certainty of a life after death does not install us in inaction; on the contrary, it engages us in this world.”

On his part, the Local Ordinary of Ouagadougou Archdiocese, Archbishop Prosper Kontiebo, lauded pioneer members of the Society of Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers/MAfr.) in Burkina Faso for providing a good foundation of Christian evangelization through capacity building. 

“The seed sown by the White Fathers has yielded fruits: many baptized Christians and courageous catechists,” Archbishop Kontiebo said, and also highlighted the social benefits of evangelization in Burkinabe society as indications of the success of the pioneer missionaries to the West African nation. 

The benefits, she said, include healthcare structures, educational institutions, and the fight against dehumanizing practices among others. “These facts clearly show that the Gospel has transformed our society,” he emphasized. 

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The Burkinabe Catholic Archbishop described the presence of Cardinal Parolin during the conclusion of the Jubilee of evangelization as “a sign of grace.”

“Through you, we welcome the Holy Father. At this significant moment in our history and in the evangelization of our country, your presence brings us the closeness of the Holy Father and the support of the universal Church,” the Catholic Archbishop told the Vatican Secretary of State.

Archbishop Kontiebo went on to implore, “May Mary, Our Lady of Yagma, intercede for us and grant us abundant graces for the Church, our country, and the world.”

Also speaking at the February 16 celebration, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Burkina Faso and Niger (CEBN) gave thanks to God for the jubilee and acknowledged the efforts of all those who contributed to evangelization in Burkina Faso. 

Addressing the Vatican Secretary of State, Archbishop Laurent Birfuoré Dabiré conveyed the Church's gratitude for his presence.

“We are convinced that your visit will strengthen the communion between the Holy Father and our Church family of God, as well as the cooperation between the Holy See and Burkina Faso,” Archbishop Dabiré said.