WRITTEN BY TONY-MARY NWEKE
Tomorrow, Saturday, October 20 is a remarkable day for Awka Catholic Diocese; for all members of the Catholic Church and even non members will file out in their numbers in rosary processions from agreed points to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Awka and Saint Joseph’s Pro Cathedral, Ekwulobia. This religious pilgrimage is performed annually by members of the Catholic Church in Awka Diocese in honour of Virgin Mary, the Queen of Heaven and earth, the Mother of Jesus and Queen of the angels.
Since Mary is agreed as the mother of Jesus, the son of God, then, no one should be surprised when she is called the Queen of the angels. Saint Louis de Montfort posits that the empire of God is also the empire of the Blessed Virgin. In the heavenly hierarchy, Mary is next to God. She is the Queen of heaven where the angels reside. The angels who are enraptures in beholding the dazzling beauty of our Blessed Mother are ever ready to obey her orders. They see themselves as privileged to serve the mother of their creator.
Only recently, Pope Francis enjoined the faithful to always invoke Saint Michael, the archangel, after saying the rosary with that short and famous exorcism prayer composed by Pope Leo the thirteen: “Saint Michael the archangel, defend us in the day of battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray and do thou, Oh Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God cast into hell Satan and all other evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls”.
The request of Pope Francis is in tandem with that of Mary, who had demanded many times that Catholics invoke the angels of God constantly. The angels are heavenly messengers with immaterial bodies who intercede for Catholics and present their requests to God. They are their friends, especially when they live a righteous life.
The power of a single angel was demonstrated when Ezechias prayed to God when threatened by Assyrians and God sent an angel to smite one hundred and eighty-five thousand persons in the Assyrian camp in one night. Angels help Catholics, especially when in danger. They save them from harm, accidents and natural disasters. They are guides to their consciences and urge them to do good and obey God’s commandments.
They help them in their life’s journey, especially in these perilous times when the demons have unleashed their fury and terror upon a humanity that has become so materialistic and secular. Catholics need their mighty help, especially now the country appears to be in a combustible mode in the face of social, political and economic difficulties.
Let us always invoke our archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the nine choirs of angels and very importantly our Guardian Angels. It has been said that many of the accidents that occur can be avoided if we always invoke our guardian angels. It was the Archangel Gabriel who uttered the first Angelic salutation to the Virgin Mary: Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. With this heavenly salutation, our Lady consented to be conceived of our Lord.
Our lady and his angels will be at our sides tomorrow, Saturday 20 to carry our petitions to God during the Rosary Carnival. The Diocesan Bishop, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend Jonas Benson and the Chief Chaplain of Marian societies, Reverend Father MacBen Okeke, therefore enjoin the faithful to come out en masse to participate in this year’s Rosary carnival to call down God’s mercies on our country buffeted from all sides by multifarious political and economic problems.

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