WORLD-WIDE FAMILY ROSSRY
As all families are locked down due to the Corona virus pandemic disease that is ravaging the whole world, we invite all families to join a world-wide Chain Rosary prayer beginning from 12th April, 2020. Time is 18.00Hrs GMT.(7.00 Pm Nigeria Time) every day.
PROMISES
Our Lady says; "I promise, my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary"
PROOF OF PROTECTION:
1) The victory of the Christian soldiers over their enemies at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571 due to the Rosary prayers.
2) The end of the First World War due to the Rosary at Fatima in 1917.
PRAYER
Pray five Decades of the Rosary and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary and then recite the Act of consecration with your family.
ACT OF CONSECRATION OF OUR FAMILY TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, and tender Mother of men in fulfilment of Thy ardent wish, I consecrate to thee myself, my brethren,my family, my country and the whole human race. Reign over us and teach us how to make the Heart of Jesus reign and triumph in us and around us, as it has reigned and triumphed in thee. Reign over us dearest Mother that we may be Thine in prosperity and in adversity; in joy and in sorrow; in health and in sickness; in life and in death.
O most compassionate Heart of Mary, Queen of Virgins, watch over our minds and hearts and preserve us from sins of impurity which You so sorrowfully lament. We wish to be pure like Thee, and to atone for the many crimes committed against Jesus and Thee. We desire to call down upon our family, country and the whole human race the peace of God in justice and in charity.
Therefore we now promise to imitate Thy virtues by living as true Christians without regard to human respect. We resolve to receive Holy communion on the first Saturday of every month, and to offer Thee five decades of the rosary each day together with our sacrifices in the spirit of reparation and penance.
Amen.
Tuesday, 14 April 2020
Friday, 30 September 2016
St Jerome
St Jerome, a Scripture Scholar per excellence, a Priest, Monk, Doctor of the Church, Confessor, and a Historian.
He was the Son of Eusebius, born at Stridon in Italy around 347 AD, and baptized about 360. He then went to Rome to pursue Rhetorical and philosophical studies and there learned Latin and Greek languages. In 363 he travelled to Antioch with some friends. Two of them died and he himself became sick. He had a vision that led him to lay aside his secular studies, devoted himself to God and plunged himself into the study of the Scripture.
He desired to live Monastic life and so went to a Syrian Desert southeast of Anthioch where he dwelled, studied Hebrew and found the Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew and translated it into Greek.
He returned to Antioch in 378 and was ordained a Priest by Bishop Paulinus. In 382 he returned to Rome and appointed as Secretary to Pope Damasus I
St Jerome is well known for his work of translating the Bible from the Original languages; Hebrew and Aramaic to Latin called the Vulgate.
He is often quoted as saying that: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ".
In order to encourage everybody to read the Bible, he said: "The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for theologians to swim in without ever reaching the bottom."
Placing the truth of the Scripture above every other truth, he said: "Seek to learn on earth those truths which will remain ever valid in Heaven”.
On communication with God, he said: "When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us".
With regards to peace of soul, he counsels: "Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.”
After the death of Pope Damasus, he returned to Antioch and was joined by the widow Paula and some other ladies who had left Rome with the aim of settling in the Holy Land. With the financial help of Paula, he established a monastery for men near the Basilica of the Nativity of Jesus at Bethlehem and also houses for three communities of women.
He wrote a Book in defence of the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of the Virgin Mary against one Helvidius, who had maintained that Mary had not remained always a virgin but had had other children by St. Joseph, after the birth of Christ. This heresy was brought up again by a certain Jovinian, who had been a monk. Paula's son-in-law, Pammachius, sent some of this heretical writings to Jerome, and he, in 393, wrote two books against Jovinian. In them, he described the excellence of virginity. In the third, he also wrote to defend Marriage as good and ordained by God.
He defended the virtue of Celibacy and the veneration of the relics of Saints
He attacked worldly women who painted their cheeks, their eyelids, load their heads with other people's hair thereby making them looking like idols.
He died near Bethlehem on 30th September 420. He is one of the four Doctors of the Latin Church along with Augustine, Ambrose and Gregory I
He is the Patrone Saint of archeologists; archivists; Bible scholars; librarians; libraries; school children; students; translators
He was the Son of Eusebius, born at Stridon in Italy around 347 AD, and baptized about 360. He then went to Rome to pursue Rhetorical and philosophical studies and there learned Latin and Greek languages. In 363 he travelled to Antioch with some friends. Two of them died and he himself became sick. He had a vision that led him to lay aside his secular studies, devoted himself to God and plunged himself into the study of the Scripture.
He desired to live Monastic life and so went to a Syrian Desert southeast of Anthioch where he dwelled, studied Hebrew and found the Gospel of Matthew written in Hebrew and translated it into Greek.
He returned to Antioch in 378 and was ordained a Priest by Bishop Paulinus. In 382 he returned to Rome and appointed as Secretary to Pope Damasus I
St Jerome is well known for his work of translating the Bible from the Original languages; Hebrew and Aramaic to Latin called the Vulgate.
He is often quoted as saying that: "Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ".
In order to encourage everybody to read the Bible, he said: "The Scriptures are shallow enough for a babe to come and drink without fear of drowning and deep enough for theologians to swim in without ever reaching the bottom."
Placing the truth of the Scripture above every other truth, he said: "Seek to learn on earth those truths which will remain ever valid in Heaven”.
On communication with God, he said: "When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us".
With regards to peace of soul, he counsels: "Be at peace with your own soul, then heaven and earth will be at peace with you.”
After the death of Pope Damasus, he returned to Antioch and was joined by the widow Paula and some other ladies who had left Rome with the aim of settling in the Holy Land. With the financial help of Paula, he established a monastery for men near the Basilica of the Nativity of Jesus at Bethlehem and also houses for three communities of women.
He wrote a Book in defence of the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of the Virgin Mary against one Helvidius, who had maintained that Mary had not remained always a virgin but had had other children by St. Joseph, after the birth of Christ. This heresy was brought up again by a certain Jovinian, who had been a monk. Paula's son-in-law, Pammachius, sent some of this heretical writings to Jerome, and he, in 393, wrote two books against Jovinian. In them, he described the excellence of virginity. In the third, he also wrote to defend Marriage as good and ordained by God.
He defended the virtue of Celibacy and the veneration of the relics of Saints
He attacked worldly women who painted their cheeks, their eyelids, load their heads with other people's hair thereby making them looking like idols.
He died near Bethlehem on 30th September 420. He is one of the four Doctors of the Latin Church along with Augustine, Ambrose and Gregory I
He is the Patrone Saint of archeologists; archivists; Bible scholars; librarians; libraries; school children; students; translators
Friday, 23 September 2016
Padre Pio
Memorial of Padre Pio
Today we celebrate the Memorial of a wonderful and mysterious saint, St Pio of Pietrelcina popularly known as Padre Pio. He is loved throughout the world for the great and numerous miracles he worked while on earth and he is working from Heaven.
He was born on 25th May 1887 in Pietralcina, Italy. He joined the Capuchin Friars Minor in 1907.
He received the gift of Stigmata on 20th September, 1918. He had the wounds in his palms, his feet and his side that corresponded to the wounds that Jesus Christ suffered during crucifixion.
He was graced with the "Ordor of Sanctity". He also had the gift of "Bilocation"; being in two places at the same time, like saying mass in one place and hearing confession in another place at the same time.
One of the great Miracles of Padre Pio was the protection and conversion of a soldier who was to be executed by firing squad. At the request of his wife for protection and conversion from Padre Pio, the mysterious Priest appeared at the scene of the execution and shielded her husband. Every effort to open fire on him failed until they freed him and pardoned him. He came home, converted to the Catholic Church.
On our Lady, St Pio said: "love the Madonna and pray her Rosary, for the Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today... All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother"
He died on September 23rd, 1968. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Rome on 2nd May, 1999. During his beatification, the Pope himself testified that Padre Pio had prophesied that he would become a Pope.
On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio at St Peter's Square, Rome. The Pope laid emphasis on Padre Pio's witness to suffering. The Holy Father stressed that if accepted with love, such suffering can lead to a privileged path of sanctity. His Feast occurs on 23rd of September.
Today we celebrate the Memorial of a wonderful and mysterious saint, St Pio of Pietrelcina popularly known as Padre Pio. He is loved throughout the world for the great and numerous miracles he worked while on earth and he is working from Heaven.
He was born on 25th May 1887 in Pietralcina, Italy. He joined the Capuchin Friars Minor in 1907.
He received the gift of Stigmata on 20th September, 1918. He had the wounds in his palms, his feet and his side that corresponded to the wounds that Jesus Christ suffered during crucifixion.
He was graced with the "Ordor of Sanctity". He also had the gift of "Bilocation"; being in two places at the same time, like saying mass in one place and hearing confession in another place at the same time.
One of the great Miracles of Padre Pio was the protection and conversion of a soldier who was to be executed by firing squad. At the request of his wife for protection and conversion from Padre Pio, the mysterious Priest appeared at the scene of the execution and shielded her husband. Every effort to open fire on him failed until they freed him and pardoned him. He came home, converted to the Catholic Church.
On our Lady, St Pio said: "love the Madonna and pray her Rosary, for the Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today... All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother"
He died on September 23rd, 1968. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in Rome on 2nd May, 1999. During his beatification, the Pope himself testified that Padre Pio had prophesied that he would become a Pope.
On June 16, 2002, Pope John Paul II canonized Padre Pio at St Peter's Square, Rome. The Pope laid emphasis on Padre Pio's witness to suffering. The Holy Father stressed that if accepted with love, such suffering can lead to a privileged path of sanctity. His Feast occurs on 23rd of September.
Wednesday, 30 September 2015
Solemnity of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria
Today is the Solemnity of Our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria. This is a National Celebration to mark the Country's independence from British Colonial rule in 1960. Soon after the Country's Independence in 1960, the Bishops of Nigeria dedicated the Country to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God as the Queen, Paronness and Mother of Nigeria. In honour of her Queen, the Cathedral at the Nation's Federal Capital is named Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Abuja.
Today, is therefore, the Birthday of Nigeria and the feast of her Mother and Queen, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since Independence, Our Lady has been protecting Nigeria from collapse despite series of coups, wars and several other crises, whether political, religious or ethnic. Our Lady has really established her Queenship of Nigeria in response to the Dedication, by Her Apparition at Aokpe in Central Nigeria where She declared that She is the Mediatrix of all Graces amidst signs and wonders. There are also reports of her apparition in Kaduna state asking for more prayers for Nigeria.
1st October is not only the Solemnity of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, but also marks the Solemn beginning of October Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the whole Universal Church; the Month specially dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary by the Pope.
As we celebrate and thank God for the gift of Nigeria, let us also thank Our Mother and Queen for Her Special Maternal care for our Country.
Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, pray for us.
Today, is therefore, the Birthday of Nigeria and the feast of her Mother and Queen, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since Independence, Our Lady has been protecting Nigeria from collapse despite series of coups, wars and several other crises, whether political, religious or ethnic. Our Lady has really established her Queenship of Nigeria in response to the Dedication, by Her Apparition at Aokpe in Central Nigeria where She declared that She is the Mediatrix of all Graces amidst signs and wonders. There are also reports of her apparition in Kaduna state asking for more prayers for Nigeria.
1st October is not only the Solemnity of Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, but also marks the Solemn beginning of October Devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the whole Universal Church; the Month specially dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary by the Pope.
As we celebrate and thank God for the gift of Nigeria, let us also thank Our Mother and Queen for Her Special Maternal care for our Country.
Our Lady Queen of Nigeria, pray for us.
Monday, 28 September 2015
Feast of St Michael the Archanggel
St Michael the Archangel whose feast we celebrate on the 29th of September every year, is the great Prince and the commander of the faithful angels who defeated the rebellious Angels (devils) and threw them out of Heaven. He is one of the Seven Archangels and the prince of Seraphim.
This Feast is also the feast of St Gabriel, St Raphael and all the Nine Choirs of Angels.
St Michael is the Great warrior and protector of the Church and the people of God. The great Archangel is the protector of Christians on earth as well as those in purgatory. He assists the dying, accompanies the souls to their private judgment, brings them to purgatory, and thereafter presents them to God at their entrance into Heaven. He is the patron of the holy souls and Christian Soldiers.
St Gabriel is the messenger of Good News. St Raphael is the Angel of Health, of healing, and therefore the Doctor of God.
The Nine choirs of Angels are divided into three categories; the first category operate mainly in Heaven around the throne of God, they are, Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The second Category govern the Heavenly Bodies, they are: Dominions, Powers and Virtues. While the last group are concerned with the affairs of man, they are; Principalities, Archangels and Guardian Angels. The Principalities guard Nations of the world, while Guardian Angels guard each person.
The world does not exist by chance but designed and governed by God through His holy Angels.
All ye Angels of God, pray for us.
This Feast is also the feast of St Gabriel, St Raphael and all the Nine Choirs of Angels.
St Michael is the Great warrior and protector of the Church and the people of God. The great Archangel is the protector of Christians on earth as well as those in purgatory. He assists the dying, accompanies the souls to their private judgment, brings them to purgatory, and thereafter presents them to God at their entrance into Heaven. He is the patron of the holy souls and Christian Soldiers.
St Gabriel is the messenger of Good News. St Raphael is the Angel of Health, of healing, and therefore the Doctor of God.
The Nine choirs of Angels are divided into three categories; the first category operate mainly in Heaven around the throne of God, they are, Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The second Category govern the Heavenly Bodies, they are: Dominions, Powers and Virtues. While the last group are concerned with the affairs of man, they are; Principalities, Archangels and Guardian Angels. The Principalities guard Nations of the world, while Guardian Angels guard each person.
The world does not exist by chance but designed and governed by God through His holy Angels.
All ye Angels of God, pray for us.
Saturday, 12 September 2015
The Most Holy Name of Mary
| THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY The name, MARY was decreed and formed by the three Divine Persons from the beginning before ages, with delight. God Himself who gave the Name, Mary to our Lady explains to the Venerable Mother Mary of Agreda in a vision as He says: “Our Chosen One shall be called MARY, and this Name is to be powerful and significant. Those that shall invoke it with devout affection shall receive most abundant graces; those that shall honour it and pronounce it with reverence shall be consoled and vivified, and will find in it the remedy for evils the treasures for their enrichment, light which shall guide them to heaven. It shall be terrible against the power of hell, it shall crush the head of the serpent and it shall win glorious victories over princes of hell. ” Our Lady herself says to the Visionary Mary of Agreda: “Be very devout towards my most sweet Name. I wish that thou be convinced of the great prerogatives and privileges, which Almighty God concedes to it, so that I myself, when I saw them in the Divinity, felt most deeply obliged to and solicitous to make a proper returns, and whenever the Name MARY occurred to my mind and whenever I heard myself called by that name I was roused to thankfulness and urged to new fervor in the service of the Lord who gave it to me.” St Alphonsus de Liguori, also affirmed that in his Book titled, THE GlORIES OF MARY Saying: “The great name of Mary, which was given to the Divine Mother, did not come to her from her parents, nor was it given to her by the mind or will of man, as it is the case with all other names that are imposed in this world, but it came from heaven, and was given by a divine ordinance.” St Bernard raises his heart to our Lady saying, “O great! O pious! O thou who art worthy of all praise! O most Holy Virgin Mary! Thy name is so sweet and amiable, that it cannot be pronounced without inflaming those who do so with love towards thee and God.” With regard to its power over the devil, Thomas à Kempis said that,”the devils fear the Queen of heaven to such a degree that only on hearing her great name pronounced, they fly from him who does so as from a burning fire.” Our Lady herself revealed to St Bridget “that there is not on earth a sinner, however devoid he may be of the love of God, from whom the devil is not obliged immediately to fly, if he invokes her holy name with a determination to repent. On the power of the sweet name of Mary during life and at hour of death, St Alphonsus de Liguouri says; “The most holy name of Mary is sweet indeed to her clients during life, on account of the very great graces that she obtains for them. But sweeter still will it be to them in death on account of the tranquil and holy end that it will insure them.” From Etymological point of view, St Bonaventure interpretes the Name Mary as a bitter sea to the demons; to men She is the Star of the sea; while to the Angels She is illuminatrix, and to all creatures She is Lady ." [St. Bonaventure +1274] O Clement! O Loving! O Sweet Virgin Mary! |
Friday, 11 September 2015
Monthly Pilgrimage to Aokpe, Nigeria.
Today is Monthly pilgrimage to Aokpe, Nigeria, where Our Lady declared that She is the "Mediatrix of All Graces". The first public pilgrimage took place there on 4th August, 1994 when our Lady sent the visionary, Christiana to inform the Bishop of the then Makurdi Diocese that she wants her Children to come and receive graces of God from her. Since then pilgrims from all over the country have been pouring there every month especially the month of August; the Day of Grace(4th August)
There have been miracles of the Sun there for the past twenty years. Pilgrims go there to pray, to do penance and to collect healing water from the holy spring.
On 29th March, 1995, Our Lady explained the meaning of Mediatrix of All Graces saying: "I am the one that receives graces for my children from God, in order words I am the Mediatrix of all Graces."
That same day, Jesus also came and said: "I have come to talk about Mary and the ways she obtains graces for you. Your trust in Mary should be immense knowing that by decree of God her power is without limit. She is the special means of grace by which you can approach God more faithfully. All that I could give to Mary I have given Her and all that she was capable of receiving She has received in fullness..."
At the end of Jesus speech our lady then said: "Christiana! This is the One to whom I submit all your requests."
Our Lady also gave the Prayer to ' Our Lady Mediatrix of all Graces to the Visionary, first in Idoma language, then translated into English by Bishop Fidelis Orgar, the late Bishop of Otukpo Diocese. Since then the Church has been providing care for the pilgrims awaiting official approval.
There have been miracles of the Sun there for the past twenty years. Pilgrims go there to pray, to do penance and to collect healing water from the holy spring.
On 29th March, 1995, Our Lady explained the meaning of Mediatrix of All Graces saying: "I am the one that receives graces for my children from God, in order words I am the Mediatrix of all Graces."
That same day, Jesus also came and said: "I have come to talk about Mary and the ways she obtains graces for you. Your trust in Mary should be immense knowing that by decree of God her power is without limit. She is the special means of grace by which you can approach God more faithfully. All that I could give to Mary I have given Her and all that she was capable of receiving She has received in fullness..."
At the end of Jesus speech our lady then said: "Christiana! This is the One to whom I submit all your requests."
Our Lady also gave the Prayer to ' Our Lady Mediatrix of all Graces to the Visionary, first in Idoma language, then translated into English by Bishop Fidelis Orgar, the late Bishop of Otukpo Diocese. Since then the Church has been providing care for the pilgrims awaiting official approval.
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