Gambia Celebrates Patron Feast

Catholics and well-wishers on Saturday 15th August 2009 celebrated the feast of Sang Marie in churches and in a procession in the capital of Banjul.

15th August being the feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is the name given to the area known as the Kombos called Kombo Saint Mary Division, named after the feast of Our Lady. The early Catholic clergies that arrived in The Gambia landed on that feast day and were pleased to name it as such.

The Catholic Cathedral of Banjul is named as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, including the Anglican Cathedral known as St. Mary's Cathedral.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady's administrator, Reverend Father Edu Gomez, said the celebration has moved from strength to strength each year.

"Apart from the different masses in churches in the morning, a procession beginning with a vespers from the Holy Spirit Parish in Banjul, at one end of the capital to the Cathedral of the Assumption," he said.

It has been a common belief among Catholics and even Muslims that during the feast there must be heavy down pour of rain to wash away their sins. This has been the trend in days past. This year's rains started at 2pm, and ended just before the procession which did not stop them from rejoicing the whole day.