The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the Most Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, has issued an invitation to all parishes, missions, institutions, and families to celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ with faith, reverence, and joy, calling the faithful to carry the Eucharistic Christ beyond church walls into the realities of daily life.
In a pastoral letter issued June 4, 2026, Bishop Hiiboro presented this year’s Corpus Christi theme as “Go Where Nobody Wants to See Jesus,” rooted in the biblical proclamation that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Holy Eucharist, alive among His people, nourishing them with His love, strengthening them for their mission, and uniting them as one family of God.
The theme reflects Bishop Hiiboro’s consistent emphasis on integral human development and the Church’s responsibility to accompany the poor, marginalized, and suffering in their lived experience rather than remaining confined to sacred spaces.
Carrying Christ to the Vulnerable
The Bishop articulated a vision of the Eucharistic Christ reaching beyond traditional church settings. In a nation longing for peace, healing, and hope, he said, the Eucharistic Lord desires to visit every home, every village, every wounded heart, and every community.
Bishop Hiiboro called on the faithful to bring Christ to the poor, the sick, the hungry, the displaced, the forgotten, and all searching for hope and dignity. This invitation reflects understanding that the Eucharist’s power extends beyond sacramental reception to transformative encounter with Christ that addresses the totality of human need.
The phrase “Kpotore nga boro rigo nirengo”—Go where nobody wants to see Jesus—expressed in the Pazande language of the region, emphasizes that authentic Christian discipleship requires going to the places and people society overlooks or avoids, carrying Christ’s presence and mercy.
Liturgical Celebrations and Participation
Bishop Hiiboro encouraged all Parish Priests to organize dignified Eucharistic celebrations featuring prayerful processions, brief Eucharistic adoration, and solemn benediction. He invited active participation of all clergy, religious, seminarians, catechists, children, youth, families, church associations, and all the faithful.
The emphasis on organized processions and communal celebration reflects the public nature of Corpus Christi, which historically has been celebrated not only in churches but in streets and public spaces, making visible testimony to Catholic faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Prayer Intentions
The Bishop designated specific intentions for which the faithful should pray during Corpus Christi celebrations: peace and reconciliation, good harvests and food security, families and young people, the sick and vulnerable, vocations to priesthood and religious life, and for all peoples affected by war and suffering.
The prayer intentions reflect the current realities facing South Sudan and the broader world. The explicit mention of prayer for South Sudan, Sudan, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Palestine, Iran, and throughout the Middle East connects the local Catholic community’s prayer to global situations of conflict and suffering.
Marian Intercession
Bishop Hiiboro invoked the intercession of Mary, Woman of the Eucharist and Queen of Peace, asking her to accompany the faithful and intercede for them as they celebrate Corpus Christi. The connection between Mary and the Eucharist reflects Catholic theology understanding Mary as the first believer who pondered the mysteries of Christ in her heart, and as the one who most perfectly received and responded to Christ’s presence.
Significance of Corpus Christi
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi celebrates the Catholic belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and honors the Blessed Sacrament as the heart of Catholic sacramental life. The feast originated in the medieval Church as a response to questions about eucharistic theology and has become a major celebration combining doctrinal affirmation with popular devotion and public witness.
In the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, Corpus Christi celebration provides opportunity for public manifestation of Catholic faith and reaffirmation of eucharistic belief that might otherwise remain private. The call to organize processions makes visible the Church’s presence and witness in communities across Western Equatoria State.
Link to Integral Human Development
Bishop Hiiboro’s theme for this year’s Corpus Christi—Go Where Nobody Wants to See Jesus—extends beyond traditional eucharistic piety to challenge Catholics to live out the implications of believing in Christ’s real presence. If Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist, then those who receive Him are obligated to carry His presence and mercy to the places where He would go if He walked among us today.
This interpretation aligns with the Bishop’s consistent teaching about integral human development, which holds that faith must be expressed through concrete works of mercy, justice, and solidarity with the poor and suffering. The Eucharist is not only for spiritual nourishment but also for empowerment to serve.
Community and Social Context
In a nation recovering from prolonged conflict and still facing challenges of food insecurity, displacement, and trauma, the prayer intentions for Corpus Christi celebrations—particularly peace, reconciliation, good harvests, and food security—address the pressing needs of South Sudanese communities. The Eucharistic celebration becomes an opportunity for the faith community to unite in prayer for the nation’s healing and development.
Inclusive Participation
The Bishop’s explicit invitation for participation of children, youth, families, church associations, and all the faithful reflects commitment to making the celebration inclusive across generations and community groups. Corpus Christi celebrations often involve families and youth in processions, making the feast accessible and meaningful across the entire community.
Call to Action
As parishes and communities throughout the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio prepare for Corpus Christi celebrations, they are invited to:
- Organize dignified Eucharistic celebrations with processions
- Arrange opportunities for Eucharistic adoration and solemn benediction
- Invite broad participation including clergy, religious, seminarians, catechists, families, and all faithful
- Pray intentionally for peace, reconciliation, food security, families, youth, the sick, vocations, and all affected by war and suffering
- Consider how to carry Christ’s presence beyond church walls to serve the most vulnerable and marginalized
- Unite in intercession through Mary, Woman of the Eucharist and Queen of Peace
Blessing and Hope
Bishop Hiiboro concluded his invitation with prayer that Almighty God bless the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio, the nation of South Sudan, and all people with peace, unity, and hope—aspirations that Corpus Christi celebrations throughout the diocese will help advance through faith, prayer, and renewed commitment to eucharistic living.
The phrase with which the Bishop ended his letter—”Stay with us, Lord” (Luke 24:29)—echoes the prayer of the disciples at Emmaus and invites all the faithful to recognize Christ’s presence and ask Him to remain with them, now and always
