“The fundamental objective is to celebrate faith with Children and Adolescents. Bringing together thousands of young hearts to praise God is, in itself, a pastoral response to the urgency of investing in Childhood as a priority,” Fr. Afonso explained.
He said that “this guidance is not random, but part of a deliberate choice by the Diocese to place Children at the center of evangelizing action in this Pastoral Year.”
“This is the most relevant day, where all jubilee activities converge, gathering children and adolescents from the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde,” the Catholic Priest said, and added, “However, the official closing of the Pastoral Year dedicated to Children will be in July.”
C500 is the project celebrating the 500 years of the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde, with its culmination planned for 2033. Cape Verde has two Dioceses: Santiago and Mindelo.
In the May 16 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Afonso explained the background of the planned celebration, saying, “The Diocese of Santiago, over the past few years, has structured a preparation path for the great jubilee of 2033. In 2023, the focus was on youth, and the Youth Jubilee left a deep mark on the diocesan journey. This year, Childhood and Adolescence have been put at the forefront, with a vast program mobilizing all 26 parishes of the Diocese, with special involvement of the 18 located on the island of Santiago.”
The 48-year-old Catholic Priest told ACI Africa that “Jubilee activities aimed at Children began already in October 2024, with the opening of the Pastoral Year. Since then, each Parish organized its own Parish Jubilee for Children, integrating celebrations and moments of formation.”
According to Fr. Afonso, all Parishes “conducted pilgrimages to specific churches indicated by the Bishop as symbolic places of the Year of Hope, the spiritual theme marking the Diocese’s current journey.”
Fr. Afonso, who serves as the Director of Catholic Schools in Santiago Diocese said, “The formative dimension has been another fundamental pillar of the preparation.”
He highlighted “forums on the presence of Children in the liturgy and the communication of faith” as important, adding that such have targeted “the youngest” who were “organized in various vicariates.”
“In Santiago Norte, for example, a meeting was promoted with specialists to reflect on the best ways to communicate with children, empowering Catechists and Pastoral Agents,” he said, and added, “We are investing in pedagogy, listening, and language suitable for childhood. This year has been a golden opportunity to renew our pastoral approach with Children.”
