On October 28, 2017, the Catholic archdiocese of Onitsha in Anambra State, Nigeria had the closing of Marian year.
2017 is the centenary of the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima. It’s been 100 years since the apparitions of Our Lady were reported in 1917 by three shepherd children at the Cova da Iria, in Fátima, Portugal. The three children were Lúcia Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto.
The Catholic church in Nigeria joined the universal church in the centenary anniversary celebration.
The event started with Holy Rosary at 10:30am at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Onitsha. The Holy Mass started at 12:00pm with the chief celebrant Archbishop Valerian M Okeke the Archbishop of Onitsha Metropolitan See for the province of Onithsha. Archbishop welcomed all and encouraged us to be devoted to our Blessed Virgin Mary. In his homily he pointed out the ten virtues of Mary which include;
- Faith
- Love
- Humility
- Compassion
- Generosity
- Patience
- Sacrifice
- Purity
- Prayer
- Silence
He ended his homily by calling us to imitate our Lady in her virtues. After the post-communion prayer Archbishop thanked the executive Governor of Anambra State His Exellence Willie Obiano for donating the large statue of our Lady to the church.
There was an unveiling of Our Blessed Virgin and Anambra State was rededicated to the special care of our Blessed Mother Mary.
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