Hundreds of Catholic faithful from Liberia’s Diocese of Cape Palmas gathered in Sasstown for the ninth annual pilgrimage to Sasstown and Betu, two historic sites widely regarded as the cradle of Catholicism in the West African nation.
In a report shared with ACI Africa on Thursday, March 5, Fr. Amos Cornelius Sikar provides details about the February 27-March 1 pilgrimage held under the theme “Renewed in Faith and Strengthened in Hope.”
The pilgrimage followed a week-long Diocesan Lenten retreat for Priests focused on Eucharistic character formation, a tradition that provides Clergy with time for prayer and reflection away from their daily pastoral responsibilities.
Spiritual reflections during the retreat were led by Br. Aniyan Sahodaran, a hermit from the Archdiocese of Delhi, currently in Liberia under the auspices of the Missionaries of Charity to support Eucharistic formation initiatives.
“The retreat set the tone for the pilgrimage, emphasizing prayer, reflection, and renewal of faith,” Fr. Sikar further said, and added, “Pilgrims traveled along challenging roads and crossed narrow bridges on their journey, expressing their devotion through songs and prayers.”
“The opening day featured a candlelight procession through the main streets of Sasstown, accompanied by the recitation of the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross before concluding at the local church,” Fr. Sikar recounted in the report.
The procession was led by Fr. Paul Gee, Parish Priest of St. Francis Parish in Maryland County, who reminded participants of the spiritual focus of the gathering.
“You are here to pray and not for socialization. Pilgrimage is not a talent show. It is a spiritual journey for both nourishment and empowerment,” Fr. Gee told the pilgrims.
He added, “The missionary spirit of the Church is living and active today. You have to imbibe the qualities that made the church spread from Betu and Sasstown to other parts of Liberia. Don’t give the people of Sasstown and Betu a reason why you are here. Let them get reasons from your actions and your dispositions to the various spiritual exercises.”
Fr. Gee further said, “Our pilgrimage as a people and local church is not the distance we will walk with lighted candles, but our true pilgrimage is the exemplary marks we will leave behind each time we take a step.”
On the second day, the pilgrims crossed a river on their way to Betu, forming a prayerful procession while reciting the Rosary. Upon arrival, they paid tribute at the tombs of missionaries who died in the area.
Mass was celebrated at the historic old church in Betu, where the original altar used by early missionaries still stands.
In his homily, Fr. Mwansie F. Waylee, Secretary to the Bishop of Cape Palmas Diocese, encouraged pilgrims to draw inspiration from the sacrifices of the missionaries who first brought the faith to the region.
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“The mud on the deplorable roads that clung to your feet was a reminder of the sacrifices and torment the missionaries faced, yet they stood tall and got us to where we are today. You too must endeavour to keep the faith alive and active through the quintessential lives we must live,” Fr. Mwansie said.
The roots of Catholicism in Liberia date back to 1906, when missionaries from the Society of African Missions first arrived in the region. They initially attempted to establish their presence in Cape Palmas, including Harper, before later expanding their mission to Monrovia and Grand Kru. Betu and Sasstown eventually became important centers for the spread of Catholicism in the country.
The annual pilgrimage to these historic sites was initiated in 2016 by Bishop Andrew Jagaye Karnley of the Diocese of Cape Palmas as a way of honoring the early missionaries and strengthening the faith of Catholics in the diocese.
Fr. Sikar recounted that after returning to Sasstown from Betu, the pilgrims participated in a formation session that was led by Fr. Jason Shar, Parish Administrator of Divine Mercy Parish, who reflected on the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
Participants also took part in individual confessions and a question-and-answer session aimed at deepening their understanding of Catholic teachings.
In the evening, members of the diocesan Charismatic Renewal group led prayers, praise songs, and healing sessions.
The pilgrimage concluded on Sunday, March 1, with a Thanksgiving Mass that was presided over by Bishop Karnley.
In his homily, the Bishop underscored the importance of Scripture and living out the Christian faith in daily life.
“Listening and responding to the Word of God are sine qua non to our Christian life,” Bishop Karnley said.
He added, “Our pilgrimage can only be completed and impacted if we do not just walk and listen to different talks and homilies. We can be real pilgrims if we live what we heard and saw, ready to forgive and share ourselves without boundaries with those we will meet.”
The Catholic Bishop also reminded pilgrims of the historical significance of Betu and Sasstown, noting that returning to these sites each year is both a tradition and an expression of gratitude for the missionaries who laid the foundations of the Catholic faith in Liberia.
Historical accounts from the Diocese of Cape Palmas indicate that during Liberia’s civil conflict, churches and rectories in the area served as shelters for civilians seeking safety.
According to Mons. Melvin Nyanti Gaye, Vicar General of the Diocese, both rebels and government soldiers at times occupied church facilities, while many civilians—including non-Catholics—sought refuge in church buildings and mission schools. He also noted that some fighters reportedly wore priests’ vestments, believing the sacred garments would protect them from bullets.
After the pilgrimage, pilgrims were acknowledged according to their respective parishes. Many participants left with renewed hope and strengthened. Some pilgrims chose to remain longer in Sasstown for additional moments of prayer and reflection, departing on Tuesday evening.
