St Rita holds national feast day in Awka

THE Pious Union of St Rita of Cascia, Nigeria, held their national feast day celebration at St Patrick’s Cathedral ,Awka.
  It was a three- day programme which lasted from 16th to 18th August.
The bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor welcomed them by celebrating a pontifical Holy Mass. Also Bishop Peter Okpaleke participated by rejoicing with them on . The Programme featured, prayer, jogging, inauguration, among other things.
There was a thanksgiving mass where the delegates from all the dioceses in Nigeria danced to the altar with love. The priests were too numerous to mention, as some came from far away Poland, Togo, e.t.c.
The Chief celebrant was Msgr (Prof) J.P.C Nzomiwu, with the diocesan chaplain, Fr Peter Andrew Ibeazor, National Chaplain, Fr John Okoro (OSA); Fr John Abubakar (OSA)  province of St Augustine Nigeria.
Next year’s National Feast will hold in Makurdi; the announcement caused great jubilation to the delegates from Benue State.
After the Mass, the event continued in the Cathedral premises.
Coordinator of Pious Union of St Rita of Cascia, Awka Diocese, Prof Ngozi E. Egbue thanked God for his wonderful mercies and all those that contributed to the success of the 2019 National Feast day celebration.
On his own part, Nzeribe Edozie Sylvester, the Prior General said ; “I warmly welcome you to this joyful 13th edition of the feast celebration of St Rita of Cascia Nigeria in Awka, Anambra State – Light of the nation.
This is the first of its kind in … The events in the country today are  pointers to all Nigeria to run to God. I call on all devotees, Catholics and Christians to please go on their knees in prayer.”
Rev Fr Peter Andrew Ibeazor, the diocesan chaplain said; “ I appreciate the love of God that has driven you form different corners of the country, especially this time of security challenge in our country to share in the graciousness of St Rita, our patroness of impossible cases. It is  indeed a Pentecost experience of different languages (Acts 2:8-9) of Parthians and Medes of Northern Nigeria, Mesapotania and Judea of the Southern Nigeria, Mesopotamia and Judea of the Southern Nigeria, Cappadocia and Puntus of Eastern Nigeria, Phrygia and Pamphylia of Western Nigeria and visitors from beyond; Which are heard in one-love-language ‘ MAMA RITA – WONDER WORKER’. For indeed the love of Christ urges us on. We are really honoured to have you, we are humbled by your commitments.”