By Blessing Nneoma Nebo
The Catholic Diocese of Awka, October 25, held its Diocesan Rosary Carnival at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, under the leadership of Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Bishop of Awka Diocese. The event, which featured a rosary procession and prayers, brought together parishes across the Diocese in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The celebration began with parish gatherings, followed by a solemn procession and communal recitation of the Rosary. All participating parishes joined in praying the ten decades of the Rosary in unity.
A major highlight of the event was a talk delivered by Rev. Fr. Celestine Muonwe, titled, “Mary, Mother of Catholic Priesthood”. He emphasized that the Blessed Virgin Mary was the Mother of the Eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, who, he said, exercised the threefold office of teacher, Priest, and Shepherd (King). Hence, he said, Catholic priests who shared in Christ’s priesthood were called to imitate His virtues and spiritual life.
Fr. Muonwe described Mary as the “Mother of All Priests” who continually interceded for them. He urged the faithful to support and pray for their priests, stressing that priests were precious instruments of salvation and that anyone who honoured a priest honoured Christ Himself. Conversely, to insult or criticize a priest unjustly was to insult Christ, Muonwe noted.
He reminded the faithful that Our Lady constantly called the faithful to pray for priests, not to engage in destructive or unfair criticism. He cautioned against publicly condemning priests, especially on social media, and called on all Catholics to defend and support their priests through prayer and encouragement.
After the talk, flower girls offered flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a sign of love and devotion. The ceremony also included the blessing of candles by Very Rev. Fr. Levi Uko
In a homily, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor explained that the honour given to the Blessed Virgin Mary was not merely from the faithful but also from Jesus Christ Himself, who, he said, first honoured His Mother. He urged the congregation not only to honour Mary but also to imitate her virtues of holiness, humility, and obedience, making them a part of their daily Christian living.
The event also featured a consecration of the Diocese and the State to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
A vote of thanks was delivered by Rev. Fr. Mac Ben Okeke, Chief Chaplain of Marian society Awka Diocese, who appreciated the participation of Bishop Ezeokafor, the clergy, and parishes represent. He described the event as spiritually enriching and expressed gratitude to all who contributed to its success.
In an interview, Brother Chinonso Ojukwu described the carnival as ‘a day to honour our Mother Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus.’ He clarified that Catholics did not worship Mary but honoured her as the Mother of God while seeking her intercession in their prayers.
He emphasized that events like the Rosary Carnival help to strengthen Marian devotion and remind the faithful of Mary’s constant role in interceding for humanity.
The 2025 Diocesan Rosary Carnival was a joyful and spiritually uplifting event that renewed devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
