The St Michael Co-Cathedral, Keta, in the Volta Region has celebrated the Bishop Herman Memorial Day as part of its 135th anniversary celebrations.
The day was dedicated to commemorating the life and legacy of the Most Rev. Augustine Herman, the first Bishop of the then Lower Volta Vicariate, which included Keta, Ho, Kpando and other towns, all the way to Yendi.
The pioneering Bishop’s vision and missionary zeal laid the foundation for the spread of Catholicism in these areas and his memory continues to inspire generations of believers, which informed the marking of his 80th anniversary of passing out to eternity.
A mass was celebrated at the Co-Cathedral recently to mark the anniversary, which was presided over by Very Rev. Fr Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, the Provincial Superior of Society of African Missions (SMAs) and the President of the Conference of Major Superiors of Religious - Ghana (CMSR-Gh).
The Cathedral Administrator, Very Rev. Fr Michael Elorm Gbordzor, also joined the celebration of the Mass.
In an introductory rite, Fr Ennin thanked the co-cathedral administrator and the entire faithful of the St Michael Co-Cathedral Church for inviting SMAs to come and honour their confrere.
Information
He recalled an information he read about Bishop Herman and Keta, saying the Lower Volta Vicariate in the then Gold Coast “was known for having the most schools during the time of Bishop Herman.
Very Rev. Fr Paul Saa-Dade Ennin, Provincial Superior of SMAs presided over the mass
They said he established over 2000 schools”.
He stated aside from contributing significantly to an educated population over his areas of operation, Bishop Herman also ensured that few missionaries/priests and religious leaders died as compared to other eras.
In a welcome address, Fr Gbordzor underscored the importance of the mass and said God had called all Christians for mission and emphasised that Bishop Herman did an outstanding work as a missionary by building schools and nurturing lives.
According to Fr Gbordzor, Bishop Herman was not just a historical figure but had spiritual dimensions to all that he did.
The Bishop of the Keta-Akatsi Catholic Diocese, Bishop Gabriel Edoe Kumordji, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to his office, Rev. Fr Simon Amenuku, he encouraged the faithful to reflect on the life and legacy of Bishop Herman as beneficiaries of his missionary work.
“You and I can boastfully say that we are beneficiaries of his struggles as a missionary. We honour his enduring legacy of faith, we honour his enduring services as a missionary and his leadership as a Bishop,” Bishop Kumordji said.
Liturgy
There was also a liturgical celebration followed by filling past of the tomb of Bishop Herman, with songs led by the Bishop Herman College brass band.
Hymns composed for Bishop Herman were sung by the Co-Cathedral mass choir.
Other activities included a float through the streets of Keta by the Bishop Herman College Brass Band, song ministration, a lecture and the reenactment of the life of Bishop Herman.
In the lecture, Fr Gbordzor recalled one of the major miracles performed by Bishop Herman. Notable among them was the commanding of the Sea to recede when it ravaged the Keta town and was coming to the then Cathedral.
The Chief of Keta, Togbui James Ocloo V, who chaired the occasion, tasked the church to improve upon the drama to make it a real movie to showcase to the whole world the miracles performed by Bishop Herman.
The occasion brought together clergy and religious leaders, including SMMC Sisters, delegates from OLA Sisters, Cape Coast, chiefs and elders, delegates from alumni of the Bishop Herman College and current students, delegates from the OLA Senior High School and the faithful from across the diocese and beyond.
