On the occasion of the 138th edition of the Marian pilgrimage of Popenguine, celebrated under the theme "Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God" (Lk 1:30), the homily delivered by Bishop Jean-Baptiste Valter Manga carried a strong message of trust, hope and living together.

In front of thousands of faithful from Senegal and the sub-region, Bishop Manga recalled that this spiritual gathering remains a powerful symbol of national unity, interreligious dialogue and fraternity between peoples.

The theme chosen for this 138th edition is taken from the first chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Luke, recounting the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. Through this message addressed to Mary, the Church invites believers not to give in to fear, but to maintain their trust in God in the face of the uncertainties of the contemporary world.

In his homily, the Bishop of Ziguinchor emphasized that the Popenguine pilgrimage has, for generations, been a space for rapprochement between Christians and Muslims. He praised the presence, both physical and spiritual, of the Muslim religious authorities who, over the years, have supported this Marian event.

According to him, Senegal must preserve this exceptional model of religious tolerance and social cohesion in a sub-regional context marked by tensions and radicalism.

He pointed out that extremism often thrives where hope, listening, justice, and social prospects disappear. Hence, in his view, the importance of continuing to promote dialogue and mutual respect in order to prevent the normalization of verbal and social violence.

The homily also highlighted the quality of relations between the Church and the Senegalese State. Bishop Manga praised "the ingenuity of the Senegalese people" who have managed to establish harmonious relations between the spiritual and temporal realms. From one regime to the next, he noted, Popenguine has remained a symbol of cooperation and appeasement, serving the stability of the country.

For him, Senegal remains strong because public, religious, and traditional authorities, as well as the nation's vital forces, have always prioritized dialogue and harmony. This tradition places human dignity and respect for others at the heart of the national project.

The prelate also emphasized the sub-regional dimension of the pilgrimage, which each year brings together the faithful from Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, and Mali. Faced with the crises that are weakening the sub-region, Bishop Manga stated that spiritual gatherings like the one in Popenguine serve as a reminder of the need to preserve the ideals of unity and solidarity among peoples.

At the foot of the Virgin Mary, the message launched this year is thus intended as a call to hope, to trust in God and to reject fear as the foundation of human relations.