Christians at St Theresa Isoke Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Torit on Monday celebrated their patron’s day.
The celebration was animated by three choir groups of Isohe, Ikwoto and Sts Peter and Paul Parishes, starting with procession from the house to the church.
Radio Emmanuel top Journalist, Fr Santino Lounoi Stephen, attended the occasion and compiled the following report.
Monsignor Thomas Oliha, Apostolic Administrator of Catholic Diocese of Torit led the faithful during the mass which started at 9:45 AM.
The priests and congregation defied the glaring sun of the approaching dry season as the procession starts from the parish house and slowly streamed towards the church.
In the procession, five young women balanced small traditional pots on their heads, two pots contained fresh flowers, while the other three emitted sweet smell of burning incense.
The 1000 capacity church was stretched to its limits and some people have to follow the service from outside.
While giving his homily, Monsignor Oliha challenged youth to follow the life of St. Theresa who was commitment and dedication to the work of God.
He also said the church deplores violence in all its forms and that Christians should practise love.
The Apostolic Administrator says tribalism, nepotisms and corruption exist because there is no love in the country.
The liturgical dancers and three choir groups of Isohe, Ikwoto and Sts Peter and Paul parishes colured the celebration.
St. Theresa was a French Sister of Carmelite Missionary Congregation. She was born in Alencon – France in 1873 and died in the same country in 1897.
St Theresa was canonized by Pope Pius the Eleventh on 17 of May 1925, just one year, before Isoke Parish was established by the Comboni Missionaries.