Martin Jumbam

Ascension Thursday - Year B

Martin Jumbam

Mother Church celebrates Thursday, May 10, 2018 as the Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord to heaven. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? The Lord will return, just as you have seen him ascend, alleluia”.

Sixth Sunday of Easter - Year B

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, May 06, 2018, as the Sixth Sunday of Easter – Year B. The entrance antiphon of this day’s Mass says, “Speak out with a voice of joy; let it be heard to the end of the earth: The Lord has set his people free, alleluia.” 

Creative Writing - A Drink by the Wouri River

Martin Jumbam

There’s a beer house overlooking the turbid, heavily polluted waters of the Wouri River in the Akwa District of Douala, Cameroon’s economic capital. To my friend, Andy “Young” and me, it is the best drinking spot anywhere in the city. What with its little booth-like cubicles called “buckaroos”, and its still-to-be-rivalled bevy of heavy-bosomed, hip-swinging ladies, some in see-through dresses, who dance around rather than walk.

Fifth Sunday of Easter - Year B

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 29, 2018, as the Fifth Sunday of Easter – Year B. In the entrance antiphon, we pray:  “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds; he has revealed to the nations his saving power. Alleluia.”

Catholic Meditation - Fourth Sunday of Easter - Year B

Martin Jumbam

 The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 22, 2018 as the Fourth Sunday of Easter – Year B. In the entrance antiphon we pray, “The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made. Alleluia.”

Catholic Meditation - Third Sunday of Easter - Year B

Martin Jumbam 

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 15, 2018, as the third Sunday of Easter – Year B. In the entrance antiphon, we pray:  “Let all the earth cry out to God with joy; praise the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise, Alleluia.”  

Catholic Meditation - Second Sunday of Easter - Year B

Martin Jumbam 

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 08, 2018, as the second Sunday of Easter, Year B. It is the Divine Mercy Sunday in which we are encouraged to offer forgiveness and reconciliation to all. It is based on the visions recorded from Saint Faustina Kowalski, a Polish nun. In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II decreed it a solemnity, a high feast day. May we, on this day, learn to offer love, forgiveness and reconciliation to all our brothers and sisters, even those who do not care about us.  

The All Anglophone Conference (April 2-3, 1993).

Twenty five years ago, English-speaking Cameroonians, from all walks of life, flocked to Buea, the historic capital of British Southern Cameroons (April 2-3, 1993), to openly and loudly express their frustration over what many saw then, and still consider today, to be the second-class status to which the Francophone majority has reduced them.   Twenty five years later, with the dark clouds of a senseless civil war, prosecuted against them by the Francophone-majority leadership, looming at the horizon, this historic document sounds as topical as ever. It's worth re-visiting. 

Catholic Meditation - Easter Sunday - Year B

Martin Jumbam

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, April 01, 2018, as Easter Sunday – Year B. In the entrance antiphon we pray: “I have risen: I am with you once more; you placed your hand on me to keep me safe. How great is the depth of your wisdom, alleluia!”  “This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. Alleluia!”

Catholic Meditation - Palm (Passion) Sunday - Year B.

Martin Jumbam

The Universal Church celebrates Sunday, March 25, 2018 as Palm Sunday. It is also known as Passion Sunday because the theme of Jesus’ suffering and death begins with the reading of the Passion. In the entrance antiphon we pray: Six days before the solemn Passover the Lord came to Jerusalem, and children waving palm branches ran out to welcome him. They loudly praised the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. Blessed are you who have come to us so rich in love and mercy. Amen.