A Historic Milestone for Juba’s Catholics
St. John the Baptist Chapel in Juba buzzed with anticipation as congregants gathered for the archdiocese’s first Mass celebrated entirely in the Chollo language.
Held under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, the liturgy drew clergy, parishioners and a sizeable Chollo diaspora, turning an ordinary Saturday into a landmark for linguistic inclusion within South Sudan’s Catholic community.
Vernacular Worship and Church Inclusivity
Assistant parish priest Fr. Samuel Jada framed the occasion as a testament to the Church’s universality, noting that ‘every language, every culture, every people finds a home at the altar’ (The Dawn).
He added that prayer spoken ‘in the language of the heart’ deepens spiritual connection and boosts participation, echoing global Catholic reforms that advocate vernacular worship since the Second Vatican Council.
Voices from the Chollo Community
Community member Christine Nyabac said the initiative was ‘long overdue,’ thanking the Archdiocese of Juba for recognising Chollo identity through liturgy.
Many attendees recalled years of travelling to distant parishes or relying on private gatherings to pray in their mother tongue, underscoring the emotional weight of hearing Scripture proclaimed in familiar cadences.
Faith, Culture and National Cohesion
After Communion, drums, ululations and traditional songs filled the chapel courtyard, blending ritual and folklore in scenes that visitors likened to home festivals along the Nile.
Observers said the colourful dances illustrated how religious spaces can nurture cultural pride while reinforcing the nation’s ongoing search for unity across ethnic lines.
Looking Ahead: Regular Services and Wider Impact
Fr. Samuel confirmed that a Chollo-language Mass will now be offered every Sunday at 3:30 p.m., inviting other language groups to propose similar services.
Local theologians predict the move could spur fresh catechetical materials and choir compositions, broadening the cultural repertoire of Juba’s Catholic worship in the months ahead.