Photo: New Marian Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes with adjourning chapel
The Feast of Immaculate conception in the Archdiocese of Yaounde coincided with the golden jubilee celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes Sanctuary Mont Febe (Sanctuaire Notre Dame de Lourdes).
Christians of the Archdiocese of Yaounde celebrated the Feast of Immaculate Conception by inaugurating a new giant statue of Our Lady of Lourdes, a new presbytery and a new Chapel all painted in glittering blue and white colours. His Grace Jean Mbarga blessed the new structures and offered a prayer of thanksgiving.
His Grace Jean Mbarga, Archbishop of Yaounde Diocese was the principal celebrant. The President of Cameroon Paul Biya was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of Territorial Administration Atanga Nji Paul.
Speaking to the multitude gathered, he said the Sanctuary is not a touristic site, it is a place of prayer and piety. A place to seek God’s grace through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes. He then stressed that the Church maintains a relationship with Mary who brought forth Jesus to the world. Then he called on all to pray for peace and reconciliation. The Archbishop thanked all especially the personal representative of the Head of State for honouring the event, and the lay faithful for the sacrifice made to realise the celebration.
The Archbishop also acknowledged the late Andre Fouda, one time Mayor of Yaounde who founded and offered the sanctuary as a gift to the Church since 8th December 1961, a sanctuary which has since it’s creation remained a source of miracle.
Picture: blessing and inauguration of new presbytery
Story by Mildred Ndum Wung Kum