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Catholic Church in Burkina Faso to Conclude 125th Evangelization Jubilee with National Pilgrimage at Yagma Sanctuary

Fr. Jules Pascal Zabré. Credit: CEB

The Catholic Church in Burkina Faso is set to celebrate the culmination of its 125th anniversary of evangelization with a national pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Yagma in the country’s Ouagadougou Archdiocese on February 16.

The event marks the conclusion of a multi-year jubilee journey, reflecting on the Church's legacy and future in the West African nation.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, January 20, the Rector of the Yagma sanctuary, Fr. Jules Pascal Zabré detailed the program of activities leading up to the grand celebration. 

He also highlighted the significant milestones the Church in the West African country has achieved over the past 125 years, emphasizing its impact on education, healthcare, agriculture, and the promotion of women’s rights in the country.

“This jubilee is a time of thanksgiving, a moment to reflect on God’s grace and to celebrate the joy of having embraced the Gospel,” Fr. Zabré said.

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He added, “125 years of evangelization is an opportunity for us to take stock of our pastoral options. Since 1942, when we had our first Priests, our father Bishops, the clergy has taken on a very estimable dimension, and we have Bishops who, as guides of the people of God, have always met to see how to orientate the people of God.”

He said that the occasion, like every jubilee, is an opportunity to look back. “This retrospection allows us to celebrate the present and look forward to the future. At the same time as we take stock of pastoral options, there's also a perspective to see what the church will be like tomorrow, especially in Burkina Faso,” the Burkinabe Catholic Priest said.

He noted that the Church's growth from a single believer to thousands of faithful is a testament to the enduring power of evangelization.

The Jubilee of Evangelization in Burkina Faso coincides with the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, commemorating 2025 years since the Incarnation and Redemption of Jesus Christ.

Pope Francis officially launched the 2025 Jubilee Year on the Eve of Christmas 2024 with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica.

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Announcing the start of a Year of Prayer on 21 January 2024 in preparation for the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, the second in his Pontificate after the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy in 2015, the Holy Father said that the 2025 Jubilee Year will be “a year dedicated to rediscovering the great value and absolute need for prayer in one’s personal life, in the life of the Church, and in the world.”

In Burkina Faso’s Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, Archbishop Prosper Kontiébo issued a decree for the opening of the cathedral’s holy door and additional doors in various parishes and sanctuaries, including Yagma. 

“This year is truly a celebration of joy, marked by retrospection, gratitude, and a vision for the future of the Church,” Fr. Zabré said.

The celebration has unfolded in stages since 2021, including jubilees for Priests, Consecrated Persons, and Catechists. 

On February 16, the entire people of God will come together to offer collective thanksgiving.

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“The laity, who have been celebrating their own jubilee, will pass the torch to the broader Christian community,” Fr. Zabré noted.

The national pilgrimage at Yagma will begin on February 15 with a day of welcome and jubilation. 

Activities will include the recitation of the rosary at 6:30 p.m. and a night of spiritual animation, cultural performances, and dancing. At 11:00 p.m., a solemn silence will lead into a communal prayer of the rosary, followed by Eucharistic adoration.

The main thanksgiving celebration on February 16 will unite the faithful from across the country.

“We expect millions to participate,” Fr. Zabré said, adding, “and we encourage everyone to come together as a grateful people acknowledging the salvation granted by God.”

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He urged the faithful to prepare spiritually and practically, saying, “Preparations are marked by serenity and prayer, with many Mass intentions and times of Eucharistic adoration offered in thanksgiving.” 

The Catholic Priest continues, “On a practical level, we are working to enhance the sanctuary’s facilities to accommodate the massive crowds.”

The Rector called on all Burkinabé Catholics to participate actively, saying, “Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that Yagma welcomes pilgrims with joy and hospitality.” 

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.