Michael Ezenwata :
The birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus Christ is celebrated globally every September 8th to give honour to the Queen Mother of all generations.
For this year’s celebration, the Mater Dei Comitium, Legion of Mary of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Awka, kicked off the event with a mass celebration following the episcopal imprimatur of the Catholic Bishop of Awka diocese Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor.
The Mater Dei Comitium comprising four senior Curia, four junior Curia, and Presidia attached to it,later at a reception presented an address by the secretary of the organizing committee of the feast of nativity Sister Paschaline Onwuduba.
The main thrust of the message from the Comitium centered on the call on public spirited individuals for the purchase of an evangelical bus and the funding and sponsorship of the Legion empowerment project for Legionaries.
The Comitium according to the secretary, has designed an empowerment programme for the vulnerable and financially handicapped Legionaries through skills acquisition such as Sewing, Paint production, Tiling, Computer training, etc which require access to operational equipment and funding.
It maintains that empowering vulnerable Legionaries through skills acquisition is a testament to its commitment to foster self reliance among them within communities, and providing them with the means to shape their destinies and break the cycle of dependency.
The chairman of the occasion Mr. Francis Amechi in a remark,enjoined the citizenry to seek for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to navigate safely through the Troubled water of Nigeria’s socio- economic and insecurity quagmire.
The chief unveiler of the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sr. Geraldine Okafor appealed to the citizenry of diverse religious divides to seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary at this difficult time in Nigeria to experience positive results.
On her part, Sister Catherine Mary Onuzulike of the Mother of Divine grace who designed the birthday cake of the Blessed virgin Mary for the unique celebration, also urged that Nigerians should seek the intercession of Mary for a better future in the country.
Contributing, the member representing Awka South/ Awka north federal constituency in the Federal House of Representatives Prof. Lilian Orogbu represented by Dr. Mrs. Nkechi Onuzulike spoke of the need for the electorate in Nigeria to pray for good leaders to be elected as legislators to make people oriented laws for the country.
Others who called for the intercession of Mary to end the socio- economic sad realities in Nigeria include Prof. Grace Amilo of the Nnewi campus of Unizik, Mrs. Njideka Okeke of the Tracas Nigeria Limited Awka, and Mr. Damian Ndumanya.
In a vote of thanks, the chairman planning committee of the celebration Brother Michael Ebere thanked all those who supported the Comitium to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary in a big way.
Some personalities that graced the occasion include the Cathedral Administrator of St.Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Rev. Father Anthony Nwafor, the Spiritual Director of the Legion of Mary St. Patrick’s Cathedral parish Rev. Father Obiorah Ikeh, a member of the Comitium Sr. Theresa Mary Agha, a member of the Holy Trinity Zone of the St. Patrick’s Cathedral parish Awka Dr. Tochi Onalike, the President of the Seat of Wisdom Presidium of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish Awka Sister June Mmeka among others.
Highpoints of the celebration include the cutting of the anniversary cake and the lighting of the candles for the Blessed Virgin Mary.
