The Jubilee Year of Hope, declared by Pope Francis, served as the spiritual foundation for the theme of the 2025 COSRA Biannual Mini Congress: “Growing Together in Hope, Ensuring COSRA Relevance.” During the event, held at Archbishop Andoh Catechetical Centre in Kordiabe on 28th June 2025, Most Rev. John Kobina Louis, Auxiliary Bishop of Accra, offered a rich reflection on what it means for COSRA members to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”
“The Jubilee is a year of liberation, restoration, and new beginnings. These characteristics of a jubilee inspire hope,” he said.
Rooting his message in Leviticus 25, Bishop Louis reminded the faithful that jubilee is not only about returning to origins but also about God’s enduring faithfulness, justice, and renewal. He linked this biblical tradition to Pope Francis’ theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” inviting COSRA members to embrace their lives as ongoing spiritual journeys.
“As pilgrims of hope, we are called to journey, reflecting on God’s enduring presence throughout our personal lives,” he stated.
Referencing biblical examples such as Abraham and the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, Bishop Louis called on COSRA members to see hope not as a passive waiting, but as a transformative and active trust in God’s promises.
“Our hope is not in worldly things but in God’s eternal promises,” he affirmed.
The Bishop urged participants to look to Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary as models of hope. Quoting from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he reminded the gathering:
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
He also pointed to the post-resurrection story of the Emmaus disciples as an example of how Christ journeys with us even in moments of confusion and despair.
“Individually and collectively as members of COSRA in the Archdiocese, we must trust more firmly in Christ who is our true Hope,” he urged.
Bishop Louis encouraged COSRA members to recommit themselves as messengers of hope, to walk with one another through life’s trials, and to be agents of change and renewal for the Church and society.
“May COSRA shine brightly as a light of hope in the Church and our communities,” he concluded, blessing all present with the assurance of Mary’s intercession and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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