Thousands Flock to Christ the King as Accra Opens Maiden Rosary Congress
The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra has launched its first-ever Rosary Congress on Thursday, 16th October 2025, drawing thousands of Catholics to the Christ the King Catholic Church, Cantonments, for a three-day program of prayer, reflection, and Marian devotion.
The congress, which runs from October 16 to 18, 2025, is being held under the theme “The Holy Rosary: a weapon for pilgrims of hope.”
The opening day featured Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a solemn Mass presided over by Most Rev. John Bonaventure Kwofie, CSSp, Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra.
In his address, Archbishop Kwofie described the Rosary as a vital spiritual weapon in a world struggling with conflict and division.
“The Rosary is a spiritual tool for peace, healing, and transformation,” he said. “It invites us to meditate on Christ’s mysteries and allows grace to shape our lives and our world.”
He encouraged the faithful to participate in the three-day gathering actively, emphasizing that prayer and unity are at the heart of the congress’s mission.
Delivering the keynote address on “The Power of the Rosary in the Life of Christ,” Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Hanson highlighted the Rosary’s biblical foundation and transformative potential.
“If we think the Rosary is just what we hold, it’s not true,” he said. “Praying it means meditating on Scripture, our salvation story. The Rosary is the Bible in action.”
Fr. Hanson urged Catholics to deepen their knowledge of Scripture to appreciate the mysteries of the Rosary fully.
He identified five spiritual weapons essential for Christian life: the Word of God, the Eucharist, reconciliation, devotion to Mary, and fellowship with the saints.
Addressing common misconceptions, he cautioned against both denying the devil’s existence and overestimating his power.
“We either live as if there’s no devil or as if he’s too powerful to defeat. Both extremes are wrong. The Rosary gives us balance and stamina in faith,” he said.
He added that true Marian devotion should always lead to Christ.
“Our Mother Mary doesn’t teach anything apart from leading us to Jesus.”
The opening day ended with a rosary procession within the church precincts, where hundreds prayed the decades together, invoking the Blessed Virgin Mary’s intercession for the Church, Ghana, families, and the world.
Several parishioners shared testimonies on how praying the Rosary had strengthened their faith and brought divine intervention in difficult times.
Although official attendance figures were not disclosed, organizers described the turnout as “highly encouraging,” with participants ranging from children to the elderly.
Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, called on participants to translate their Marian devotion into action in their parishes and families.
“May this gathering move from prayer into practice,” he said. “We go to Mary because she brings us to Christ Jesus.”
He described the Rosary as “a weapon of peace, faith, and hope,” drawing on St. Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 6:11 to “put on the whole armor of God.”
Throughout the day’s sessions, speakers reflected on the Rosary as both a contemplative prayer and a call to discipleship.
“When we hold the beads, we hold the Gospel in miniature,” one speaker said. “When we pray the Rosary, we walk with Mary toward Jesus, our eternal hope.”
As the congress continues through the weekend, participants are expected to engage in more talks, liturgical celebrations, and moments of communal prayer, all aimed at renewing faith and strengthening family life through the power of the Rosary.
By Theresa Kpordzo.
