Bishop Gerald Mamman Musa Pays Historic Pastoral Visit to St. John of the Cross, Gidan Kurma Parish
11/30/2025
The Catholic Diocese of Katsina recorded another milestone as Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Mamman Musa paid a historic pastoral visit to St. John of the Cross, Gidan Kurma Parish, where he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 114 candidates and commissioned 43 new lectors. The parish community, led by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Habila S. Bala, turned out in large numbers alongside members from all the outstations to welcome the Bishop to the long-awaited event.
In his homily, Bishop Gerald reflected on the Gospel of the day, stressing the Christian call to courage, faithfulness, and steadfastness in living out the demands of the Gospel. He reminded the congregation that the message of the Gospel invites believers to rise above fear and embrace a deeper trust in God’s providence. The Bishop placed special emphasis on the significance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which the Confirmands receive at Confirmation, describing them as divine aids that grant wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. These gifts, he said, are essential for every Christian who desires to make sound moral decisions and live as a witness to Christ.
Bishop Gerald also spoke about the symbolism of the dove, explaining that just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Christ in the form of a dove at His baptism, so too does the Spirit rest upon the Confirmands today, filling them with purity, peace, and spiritual strength. He charged both the Confirmands and the newly commissioned lectors to be genuine ambassadors of the Church, living out their faith with integrity and bearing witness to Christ in their families and communities.
The Mass progressed into the solemn confirmation rites, where the Bishop laid hands upon the candidates and anointed them with Holy Chrism. This was followed by the commissioning of lectors, each of whom received the word of God as a symbol of their responsibility to proclaim the Word of God with sincerity, clarity, and dedication.
Thanksgiving followed, with various parish groups—including the Catholic Men Organization, Catholic Women Organization, Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria, Holy Childhood Association, families, and the Parish Pastoral Council—expressing their joy and gratitude through special processions and presentations. The ceremony ended with group photographs, capturing the memorable moments shared with His Lordship.
A warm reception was held in the parish compound after the Mass, where the Bishop was entertained by different cultural and traditional dance groups. The lively atmosphere reflected the unity, cultural richness, and strong faith of the Kurma Parish community. The visit marked an important pastoral milestone, leaving the parish spiritually renewed and strengthened for the mission ahead.
