By Michael Ezenwata
St. Patrick’s Cathedral Parish, Awka, celebrated the 2026 birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary in grand style, with renewed vigour to sustain its evangelical mission of winning more souls for Jesus Christ through His mother, Mary.
The celebration, held under the chairmanship of Chief Engr. Charles Obiekwe (Akwudolueze of Akpo), brought together the Legion of Mary which comprises four Senior Curiae, four Junior Curiae and praesidia directly attached to them. The society made a bold move to raise funds for the renovation of the Grotto of the Blessed Virgin Mary located at the old Cathedral.
In his address, Chief Obiekwe galvanized support towards actualizing the project which he described as dear to his heart. He recounted the special favours his family has received through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and urged the faithful to deepen their devotion to her to attract God’s favour.
Chief Obiekwe also commended the Legion of Mary for its evangelical disposition, noting that its activities have attracted many souls to Christ and liberated many from spiritual bondage.
In an address presented on behalf of the legionaries by Sister Paschaline Onwuduba, the society traced its inception in the parish to 1970 and its steady growth over the years. She said the Legion has prioritized the renovation of the Marian Grotto this year as a worthy birthday gift to the Blessed Virgin Mary and appealed for generous support to realize the dream.
A spiritual talk delivered by Sister Veronica Agbapu titled, “Devotional Outlook of a Legionary,” urged the faithful to emulate the key virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including faith, humility, mortification and modest dressing as a mark of identity. She emphasized the regular recitation of the Rosary as a potent weapon against the works of the devil.
In her remarks while lighting the candle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Chief Executive Officer of IDK, Awka, Sister Chinwe Nweke, prayed that Mary would light her candle in the hearts and families of all present. She encouraged Marian devotees not to wait until the Cathedral officially celebrates the Mother of God, but to celebrate her privately on September 8th with their families, in their offices and wherever they find themselves, using the occasion to teach their children about Mary and draw them closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.
Sister Catherine Mary Onuzulike, who baked the birthday cake for the Blessed Virgin Mary, disclosed that she made a 12-step cake symbolizing the twelve crowns on the head of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. She urged the faithful to welcome Mary into their lives to make life’s journey easier.
Some recipients of the Award of Excellence as Soldiers of the Blessed Virgin Mary also shared their testimonies. Sister Ada Enenchi encouraged the faithful to embrace, rather than reject, the intercessory role of Mary, stating that she has greatly benefited from it. Similarly, Sister Helen Ogbuozobe and Brother Michael Ezenwata, Zonal Leader of Holy Trinity Zone and member of Seat of Wisdom Praesidium, who was also honoured, called on the faithful to make the Blessed Virgin Mary their friend to come closer to Jesus Christ. Brother Ezenwata thanked the President of Awka Regia, Brother Felix Okeke, and his Praesidium President, Sister June Mary Mmeka, for their support.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairlady of the 2026 Birthday Planning Committee, Sister Theresa Mary Agha, thanked all guests and committee members for making the occasion successful and urged the faithful to tap into the intercessory role of the Blessed Virgin Mary for eternal salvation. Highlights of the occasion included the cutting of the birthday cake, lighting of the candle and other spiritual activities.
Michael Ezenwata is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
#Ministryofinformationandvaluareformation
#Anambraisrising
#Informationiskey
#Solutionishere
#Solutioncontinues
