The Catholic faithful at St. Martins De Porres Catholic Cathedral, Katsina, gathered on Sunday, 10 May 2026, for the 8:00 a.m. Holy Mass of the Sixth Sunday of Easter, in a spirit of prayer, thanksgiving, and communion.
The celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Damian Zomahoun, who served as Chief Celebrant, with Rev. Fr. Victor Chibuzor concelebrating.
Faithful Called to Remain Open to the Holy Spirit
The Liturgy of the Word featured readings from Acts 8:5–8, 14–17, Psalm 66, 1 Peter 3:15–18, and John 14:15–21. The readings focused on the gift of the Holy Spirit, Christian witness, obedience to God's commandments, and the call to remain faithful to Christ.
In his homily, Rev. Fr. Damian Zomahoun opened and concluded his reflection with the hymn “Come Holy Ghost,” creating an atmosphere of prayer and spiritual reflection.
The Chief Celebrant emphasized the importance of Baptism in the Christian's reception of the Holy Spirit. He encouraged the faithful to maintain a clear conscience, remain steadfast in their faith, and exercise discernment in their spiritual journey, particularly when seeking a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit.
He urged the congregation to remain firmly rooted in the teachings of Christ and the Church so as not to be misled in their pursuit of spiritual growth.
National Youth Day Cross and Marian Icon Presented
Following the offertory and collection of tithes, the National Youth Day (NYD) Cross and Marian Icon were formally presented to the congregation.
The sacred symbols had been received by the Catholic Diocese of Katsina from the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto as part of the ongoing preparations and activities surrounding the National Youth Day.
The Cross and Marian Icon are expected to continue their journey to the Catholic Diocese of Kano, where they will subsequently be handed over as part of the inter-diocesan movement and spiritual activities associated with the National Youth Day.
Communication Week Officially Commences
The celebration continued with the Liturgy of the Eucharist, during which the faithful participated devoutly in the Holy Mass and received Holy Communion.
Following Holy Communion, Communication Week was officially introduced at the Cathedral, marking the commencement of the annual observance.
This year's Communication Week is celebrated under the theme:
“Preserving Human Voices and Faces.”
The theme highlights the importance of human dignity, authentic storytelling, responsible communication, and the preservation of people's stories and identities in an increasingly digital and rapidly changing communication environment.
The commencement of Communication Week at the Cathedral provides an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on the role of communication in evangelization, community building, and the proclamation of the Gospel.
Parish announcements followed the celebration, while the Holy Mass concluded joyfully with songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.
The opening celebration set the tone for the activities of Communication Week 2026, as the faithful were encouraged to recognize communication not merely as a means of sharing information but also as an important instrument for witnessing to the Gospel and building communion within the Church and society.