The Accra Archdiocesan Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Center (AASHJEC) has launched the 10th National Sacred Heart of Jesus Congress and Golden Jubilee of the inauguration of the National Sacred Heart Council.
All parishes within the Archdiocese launched the National Congress during the solemn celebration of the Mass last Sunday, 9th June 2024.
This was done with approval and instruction from the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwoffie, C.S.Sp.
In a previous letter dated May 20, 2024, His Grace affirmed that all priests in all parishes should support the launch and raise funds for the congress.
“In order to raise funds for the congress, all Pastors are kindly requested to find an appropriate Sunday between the launch date and July 14, 2024, to raise funds for Congress, which should be paid off at the Office of the Financial Administrator latest by July 18, 2024, for onward forwarding to the National Sacred Heart Enthronement Center for the Organisation of the Congress,” said the letter signed by the Archbishop himself.
Sacred Heart Devotees and Congregants of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish at the launch last Sunday
Launching at St. Ignatius of Loyola
At the St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Baatsona, Spintext, the home parish of the ASHJEC President, Madam Vida Domelevo, the launching was held with solemnity and reverence for the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Boateng (OFM Conv.), who presided over the mass, read a launching message on behalf of Rev. Fr. Silas Sapaty, the AASHJEC Spiritual Director and current rector of the Archbishop Andoh Catechetical Center, Kordiabe.
Fr. Boateng reminded the entire congregation that every year, the Church dedicated June to the promotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
He further announced that the National Congress was being organised under the auspices of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) from Thursday, 5th to Sunday 8th September 2024 in Tamale.
“The theme for the celebration is ‘National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre, Ghana @ 50: Building A Synodal Church, The Role of The Sacred Heart of Jesus Devotional Practices by The Catholic Family’,” he announced.
“And so, by this, we implore all Catholics to pray for the success of the congress, and peaceful elections in Ghana this year, as we practice the devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, especially during adorations,” he added.
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Boateng (OFM Conv.) launching the National Congress at St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish last Sunday
On her part, Madam Domelevo, speaking on the sidelines of the launch, intoned how important the congress is for the country and all Catholics.
“I think that the Congress is really important because it is a time of prayer and supplication to the Sacred Heart. And the year in which we are celebrating this one is also important because of the elections. If all the Bishops in Ghana come together at the congress to represent the Pope and pray for peaceful elections in Ghana, I am sure what is meant to be according to the Lord’s plans will be. So, I invite all Catholics to support and attend the congress in Tamale,” she said.
10th Congress and 50th Anniversary
A section of pilgrims at the closing ceremony of the 9th National Congress in Konongo-Mampong
The National Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Centre (NSHJEC) was established in 1974 to coordinate, direct and spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a spirit of love and reparation in Ghana.
Over its 50 years of existence, the NSHJEC has organised nine congresses, this year’s being the 10th.
National Sacred Heart of Jesus Congresses, since then, have happened every five years.
The last congress was in 2016, hosted in the Konongo-Mampong in the Kumasi Archdiocese and saw more than 15,000 Catholics, non-Catholics, Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians with all Bishops in attendance.
The next one should have been in 2021.
Yet, according to the National Secretary, Hope Medard Zodanu, “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some other factors, the congress couldn’t happen in 2021 so, it was postponed to 2024.”
It just so happens that by dint of the workings of the triune God, the congress has met with the country’s national elections and the 50th-anniversary celebrations of NSHJEC.
“In 2016, we had more 16,000 pilgrims at the congress in Konongo-Mampong. This year, we are expecting over 25,000 pilgrims from all over the world to troupe to Tamale so we can all celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for families and children, ask God for peace in war-torn parts of the world and pray for peaceful elections in Ghana,” he further explained.
By: Abiwu Theodore Korku Mawutor, Accra
