Pilgrimage has long been a treasured spiritual practice in Christian tradition. It is considered a journey of faith, renewal, and communion with God. This sacred exercise took on a renewed and historic meaning on Thursday, 9 May 2024, when Christians of Futru Deanery in the Archdiocese of Bamenda celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus Christ at Mt Calvary, Nkwen’s highest hill, for the first time as a deanery.
The location, once a revered pilgrimage site used by St Michael’s Parish Futru Nkwen, had remained silent for over eight years due to the armed conflict that has affected many parts of Cameroon’s North West Region. The return to Mt Calvary, within the precincts of Our Lady of Mercy Quasi Parish Manda, was therefore not just a revival of religious tradition but a powerful act of reclaiming sacred space and restoring hope in the midst of ongoing challenges.
The commemoration of the Ascension, which marks Christ’s bodily ascent into heaven forty days after Easter, took on added spiritual depth as thousands of faithful journeyed to Mt Calvary. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Jason Muluh, Dean of Futru Deanery, the event brought together over 4,000 pilgrims from across the deanery, including the Christian communities of Futru, Mbelem, Nibung, and Manda.
Speaking to Hilltopvoices, Fr. Muluh described the pilgrimage as “a moment of deep spiritual encounter” intended to reignite faith among the people and offer collective prayers for peace and healing in the region.
The celebration began with a Eucharistic procession up the hill, where the crowd gathered around a temporary altar set at the summit. The Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Beltus Asanji, whose homily illuminated the theological and spiritual essence of the Ascension. Drawing from scripture and tradition, Fr. Asanji spoke about the three great mysteries Jesus fulfilled including his suffering, death, and resurrection and how these culminate in the Ascension.
He further reflected on three core dimensions of the feast: the hope of salvation promised through Christ’s elevation, Jesus’ ongoing intercession for humanity, and the outpouring of new life through the Holy Spirit.
“The Ascension assures us that our lives do not end in the tomb... Christ has gone before us to prepare a place, and he continues to speak on our behalf before the Father.” Fr. Asanji declared.
The pilgrims, many of whom were attending a Mass at Mt Calvary for the first time, engaged with great devotion singing, praying, and sharing testimonies of faith. For older parishioners, the return to the hill evoked bittersweet memories of past celebrations before the conflict disrupted their religious routines.
“This place holds a lot of meaning for us... Climbing this hill again and hearing the Word of God from its summit gives us hope that peace will return and our lives can be rebuilt.” an older parishioner from Futru told Hilltopvoices after returning from the event
The return to Mt Calvary was not without logistical and security concerns, but the event unfolded without incident, thanks to careful planning by the deanery and cooperation from local authorities.
As the liturgy ended and pilgrims descended the hill, many expressed hope that Mt Calvary would remain open as a sacred destination for future deanery-wide celebrations. There was also a growing call among the faithful for the Church to continue creating platforms for spiritual unity and healing amid the ongoing social tensions in the region.
For the people of Futru Deanery, the 2024 Ascension celebration was more than just a liturgical event. It was a spiritual homecoming, a revival of tradition, a gesture of faith, and a collective prayer for lasting peace.
By Beltus Asanji
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