By Waure Eddy.
The Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio joined millions of faithful worldwide in celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with profound joy and devotion at St. Mary Mother of God Catholic Parish in Yambio. The Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Bishop Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, marked a spiritual milestone as the diocese witnessed significant growth in Marian devotion.
This year’s feast proved particularly significant as 19 new members joined Region Mary, raising total membership to 751. The substantial growth demonstrates increasingly vibrant Marian spirituality in the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and reflects the faithful’s deep devotion to Mary as Mother of God and intercessor for the Church.
Bishop Emphasizes Marian Discipleship and Humility
Bishop Hiiboro used the Assumption celebration to encourage the faithful in Marian devotion and challenge them to embody Mary’s virtues in daily life. His homily emphasized humility, perseverance, and faith as essential Christian values exemplified in Mary’s life.
“We need to follow our Mother Mary, who is here for us to have peace and development in our nation,” the Bishop told the gathered faithful, connecting Marian devotion to national concerns of peace and development pressing in post-conflict South Sudan.
The Bishop drew inspiration from the Gospel story of the woman of faith whose daughter was healed, using the narrative to illustrate the power of persistent faith and humble trust in God.
“As we are doing our work, let us be like Virgin Mary by being humble every time. We will be healed without any problem. Mary is the holy woman with no sin; let us follow her footsteps,” he said, inviting the faithful to model their lives on Mary’s perfect virtue.
Mary’s Perseverance Through Suffering
A central theme of Bishop Hiiboro’s homily was Mary’s perseverance and faithfulness despite experiencing profound suffering. He emphasized that Mary’s Assumption represents not merely a reward for personal virtue but a sign of hope for all believers facing trials.
“Virgin Mary was encouraging others to do well like her and be humble. Even though her Son Jesus was crucified on the cross, she did not give up, but continued with prayer together with the Apostles,” the Bishop narrated, highlighting Mary’s steadfast faith during crucifixion and her continued leadership in the early Church.
The Bishop’s emphasis on Mary’s perseverance addresses a reality familiar to many South Sudanese Catholics who have endured years of conflict, displacement, and hardship. By pointing to Mary’s perseverance during her son’s execution, Bishop Hiiboro provided spiritual model for those suffering in contemporary contexts.
Recognition of Region Mary’s Commitment
The Bishop extended special recognition to Region Mary members for their faithful commitment to celebrating Marian feasts and maintaining spiritual devotion despite difficult circumstances facing communities in Western Equatoria State.
“All Region Mary will go to heaven. This feast reminds all of us to change in our daily life. A lot of issues are happening, but Region Mary is strong to complete the feast successfully,” he said, affirming that the association’s witness provides hope and inspiration to the broader diocesan community.
Integration of Devotion into Daily Life
Rather than confining Marian devotion to liturgical celebrations, Bishop Hiiboro challenged the faithful to extend their devotion into daily practices of charity and service. He urged concrete actions embodying Marian values in relationships with vulnerable community members.
“As we celebrate the feast today, let us support our elderly people around our community and encourage our children to do good so that life can be easy for them in their journey,” the Bishop said, grounding Marian devotion in practical charity.
Mary’s Assumption as Sign of Hope
The Bishop concluded his homily by emphasizing the Assumption feast’s ultimate significance as sign of hope and promise for all believers. Mary’s Assumption into heaven prefigures the resurrection and glorification promised to all faithful followers of Christ.
“Mary was summoned into heaven. All of you must go to heaven to enjoy everlasting peace,” the Bishop affirmed, providing spiritual encouragement to faithful facing present sufferings while trusting in ultimate salvation.
Looking Forward
As the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio looks toward the future, the Assumption celebration and growth of Region Mary membership provide grounds for hope and spiritual encouragement. In a nation still recovering from conflict and facing ongoing challenges, the thriving of spiritual devotion and community prayer demonstrates the resilience of faith.
The celebration affirmed the enduring importance of Marian devotion in Catholic spiritual life and demonstrated the vibrant faith characterizing diocesan communities. Through Mary’s intercession, the Diocese of Tombura-Yambio continues strengthening its commitment to Christian discipleship grounded in faith, hope, and love.
