Ouagadougou: The Catholic faithful of the Sacred Heart parish of Toma celebrated, on Saturday, August 15, 2026, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, in the presence of the first authorities of the province. The celebration began at the Marian grotto with a procession to the Sacred Heart church, where the mass was concelebrated by the parish priest, Father Jean Gourou, and Father Jean-Paul Soro.

According to Burkina Information Agency, in his homily, Father Jean Gourou presented Mary as a model for humanity, inviting the faithful to cultivate thanksgiving, to recognize the good and to discern the signs that lead to God. The universal prayers focused on the Pope, the sick, peace in Burkina Faso, the return of displaced persons and the conversion of perpetrators of violence.

The High Commissioner of Nayala, Honore Frederic Pare, praised the commitment of religious leaders and reaffirmed the provincial administration's willingness to support the parish. He invited the faithful to welcome the transition in "faith, serenity and fraternity", before entrusting the parish, Nayala and Burkina Faso to the intercession of the Virgin Mary.