The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) Freetown–Makeni Grand Commandery, in collaboration with the Grand Ladies Auxiliary Sierra Leone, on Saturday, 14 March 2026, held a joint Lenten Retreat for Commanderies and Auxiliaries in the Northern Jurisdiction. The retreat took place at the St. Francis Xavier Junior Seminary in Makeni.
The Knights of St. John International (KSJI) Freetown–Makeni Grand Commandery, in collaboration with the Grand Ladies Auxiliary Sierra Leone, on Saturday, 14 March 2026, held a joint Lenten Retreat for Commanderies and Auxiliaries in the Northern Jurisdiction. The retreat took place at the St. Francis Xavier Junior Seminary in Makeni.
The retreat brought together members for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal during the Lenten season. Activities opened with the Stations of the Cross led by Rev. Fr. Leonard Samba Kamara, followed by reflections facilitated by Rev. Fr. Dominic Obed Sankoh and Rev. Fr. Peter Alusine Fornah.
Brothers, Sisters and seminaries reciting the first station of the cross at the Lenten Retreat
In her welcome address, the Respected President of St. Flora Ladies Auxiliary No. 666, Sister Mariatu Agnes Tholley, encouraged participants to fully embrace the retreat as an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives and reflect meaningfully on their Christian responsibilities.
Rev. Fr. Dominic Obed Sankoh, Rector and Vocations Director of St. Francis Xavier Junior Seminary, officially welcomed the Knights and Ladies on behalf of the Bishop of the Diocese of Makeni, Most Rev. John Bob H. Koroma, and the seminary community. He described the Junior Seminary as the “seedbed of priestly formation” and prayed that the retreat is spiritually enriching for all participants.
Rev. Fr. Peter Alusine Fornah delivered the main reflection, opening with the hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” and drawing on Matthew 16:24 to challenge believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ. He explained that carrying the cross demands sacrifice, forgiveness, self-discipline, and faithful service, reminding participants that true discipleship requires dying to selfish desires and embracing humility, love, and service. Reflecting on wisdom teachings from Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus, he urged members to let go of anger and pride, live disciplined Christian lives, and uphold integrity in both personal and communal conduct. Rev Fr. Fornah cautioned against destructive habits such as excessive drinking, promiscuity, and irresponsible living, stressing that such behaviours weaken Christian witness. He challenged members to lead by example and guide younger members toward responsible and virtuous living.
Activities for the day culminated into the Sacrament of Reconciliation and concluded with Holy Mass, presided over by Rev Fr. Sankoh and concelebrated by Rev Frs. Fornah and Kamara.
In his homily, Rev Fr. Sankoh reflected on the first reading from Hosea 6:1–6, explaining that the prophet Hosea used his own life as a message to demonstrate God’s enduring love and mercy for His people. He reminded participants that God desires mercy rather than sacrifice and encouraged them to practice forgiveness within their families and communities.
The retreat brought together members for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal during the Lenten season. Activities opened with the Stations of the Cross led by Rev. Fr. Leonard Samba Kamara, followed by reflections facilitated by Rev. Fr. Dominic Obed Sankoh and Rev. Fr. Peter Alusine Fornah.
Brothers, Sisters and seminaries reciting the first station of the cross at the Lenten Retreat
In her welcome address, the Respected President of St. Flora Ladies Auxiliary No. 666, Sister Mariatu Agnes Tholley, encouraged participants to fully embrace the retreat as an opportunity to deepen their spiritual lives and reflect meaningfully on their Christian responsibilities.
Rev. Fr. Dominic Obed Sankoh, Rector and Vocations Director of St. Francis Xavier Junior Seminary, officially welcomed the Knights and Ladies on behalf of the Bishop of the Diocese of Makeni, Most Rev. John Bob H. Koroma, and the seminary community. He described the Junior Seminary as the “seedbed of priestly formation” and prayed that the retreat is spiritually enriching for all participants.
Rev. Fr. Peter Alusine Fornah delivered the main reflection, opening with the hymn “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” and drawing on Matthew 16:24 to challenge believers to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Christ. He explained that carrying the cross demands sacrifice, forgiveness, self-discipline, and faithful service, reminding participants that true discipleship requires dying to selfish desires and embracing humility, love, and service. Reflecting on wisdom teachings from Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus, he urged members to let go of anger and pride, live disciplined Christian lives, and uphold integrity in both personal and communal conduct. Rev Fr. Fornah cautioned against destructive habits such as excessive drinking, promiscuity, and irresponsible living, stressing that such behaviours weaken Christian witness. He challenged members to lead by example and guide younger members toward responsible and virtuous living.
Activities for the day culminated into the Sacrament of Reconciliation and concluded with Holy Mass, presided over by Rev Fr. Sankoh and concelebrated by Rev Frs. Fornah and Kamara.
In his homily, Rev Fr. Sankoh reflected on the first reading from Hosea 6:1–6, explaining that the prophet Hosea used his own life as a message to demonstrate God’s enduring love and mercy for His people. He reminded participants that God desires mercy rather than sacrifice and encouraged them to practice forgiveness within their families and communities.
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