John Kayode AYODELE

 

The Bishop, Priests, Consecrated Persons, Royal Father and the entire Lay Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, on Friday, December 5, 2025 held the Diocesan Annual Oke-Maria Pilgrimage and the Diocesan Grand Finale of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

 

This Spiritual journey, with the Theme: “Mary, the Mother of Hope (Luke 1:45)” was held at the Ekiti Diocesan Oke-Maria Pilgrimage Centre, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Emure-Ekiti. The programme brought together pilgrims from various Deaneries and Parishes who came seeking spiritual renewal, healing, and deeper communion with God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 

The programme featured Rosary procession, Praise and Worship, Penitential Service, Healing Service, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Prayers and the Celebration of the Mass.

 

In a testament to God’s continuous love for His people, Rev. Fr. Peter Olowolafe led the Penitential Service, giving space for the pilgrims to be closer to God and be cleansed from their sins. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament led by Rev. Fr. Matthew Adebayo Adewumi followed the Penitential service.

 

Reflecting on the Theme of the Pilgrimage, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aarinola Abegunde encouraged the people of God to put their trust in God, especially when situations get tough, emphasizing that true joy and fulfilment are found when believers walk closely with Mary, drawing strength from her steadfastness and hope in the faithfulness of God.

Fr. Abegunde highlighted some of the trials faced by our Mother Mary which could have broken her heart, such as Joseph’s confusion, the hardship of the journey to Bethlehem, giving birth in poverty, the flight into Egypt, the prophecy of a sword piercing her soul, standing at the foot of the cross and carrying the dead body of her only son in her arms. But in all of these, Mary built her Faith on Hope and Faith in God.

 

Describing hope as a decision, a choice and a spiritual discipline, Fr. Abegunde encouraged the Pilgrims to make the Blessed Virgin Mary their Role Model. He further encouraged the people not to allow the present situation in the Country to define their future, but to trust in God that Nigeria will rise again for good.

 

The Pilgrimage also featured a Concelebrated Mass which was presided over by the Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye.

 

In his homily during the Mass, Rev. Fr. Anthony Olawale Arowolo congratulated Bishop Felix Ajakaye, the Priests, Consecrated persons and all the pilgrims for the grace received from God, to witness another Marian Pilgrimage.

 

Fr. Arowolo reminded the Pilgrims that as pilgrims of hope, they should journey forward with God who never abandoned his people. He encouraged the people to reflect on the parable of the blind, emphasising that God is always ready to heal our wounds when we have hope and trust in Him.

 

He further reminded the Pilgrims that the Church is demanding from them, as the Jubilee Year of Hope is gradually coming to an end, conversation of heart, return to the Sacraments of the Church, forgiveness and reconciliation with one another, work for justice and peace, support to the weak and the poor, an assurance of hope to other people and trust in God’s promises.

 

Commenting, the Local Ordinary of the Diocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye congratulated the Priests, Consecrated Persons and the people of God in Ekiti Diocese for witnessing another historical event and a spiritual journey with God in Ekiti Diocese. He appreciated them for the sacrifices they have made and for keeping the faith alive.

 

Bishop Ajakaye commended the efforts put together by the Diocesan Pastoral Team led by Rev. Fr. Cyril Osadare and the host Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Pius Olajide Famosaya for the efforts they have put together to making the Pilgrimage a success.

 

The Bishop further directed that the Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in all the Parishes across the Diocese on Monday, December 8, 2025 be used to offer special prayer for our Country Nigeria, that God should take control of the security of our people and those in Captivity, especially the abducted Students and Pupils of St. Mary Catholic Secondary School and St. Mary Nursery/ Primary School, Mina, Kontagora Diocese, asking God to free them from the den of their abductors.

 

The Pilgrimage ended with the blessing of Sacramentals, burning of incense, thanksgiving to God and the Jubilee Solemn Blessing by the Bishop.