Archbishop Dr. Benjamin Phiri, JCD, celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the King on Monday, 14 September 2026, marking 40 years since his ordination to the priesthood. The celebration was held on the actual anniversary of his ordination, which took place on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Although the official celebration of his 40th priestly anniversary is scheduled for Saturday, 19 September 2026, at St. John’s Convent in Kitwe, the Archbishop chose to mark the actual day of his ordination with Holy Mass at the Cathedral. The significance of the day was made even more profound by the connection between the feast on which he was ordained and his episcopal motto, “Unity through the Cross.” Ordained on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Archbishop’s priestly journey has, in a special way, remained connected to the mystery of the Cross, which is also at the heart of his call to foster unity in the Church. In his homily, Archbishop Phiri said that after 40 years of priesthood, the one thing he feels most deeply is gratitude to God for bringing him this far. He emphasised that it is God who enables a person to serve Him faithfully for any length of time. Reflecting on the priesthood, the Archbishop acknowledged the many challenges that priests encounter in their ministry. He described priests as “wounded healers,” recognising that priests themselves can experience struggles and wounds while being called to bring healing, hope and God’s mercy to others. Drawing from the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Archbishop Phiri encouraged the faithful to continually look to the Cross and live, regardless of how many times they may fall or how heavy their personal crosses may become. He reminded the congregation that the Cross, which was once a symbol of humiliation and suffering, has become a sign of victory and salvation through Christ. He encouraged the faithful not to give up in moments of difficulty, but to keep their eyes fixed on Christ, who carried the Cross for humanity. The celebration continued with the presentation of several gifts to the Archbishop as a gesture of appreciation and gratitude for his 40 years of priestly service. The Mass concluded on a high and joyful note, with the Cathedral community giving thanks to God for the gift of Archbishop Phiri’s priestly vocation and four decades of service to the Church, a journey marked by the Cross and dedicated to building “Unity through the Cross.”