Radio Maria Nigeria - Enugu

07/10/2025

THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY
(7TH OCTOBER, 2025)
REV. FR. Ambrose Ofodile Dei Verbum

In the 13th century, Our Lady revealed herself in a vision to St. Dominic, the founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). The devotion to the rosary became widely popularized by Pope St. Pius V, who established the feast in grateful commemoration of the victory in the famous naval battle of Lepanto on October 7, 1571. This battle was pivotal in saving Christian civilization from the invading Turks.

Pope Leo X officially approved the rosary in 1520 and declared October as the month of the Holy Rosary. Since then, successive Popes have actively promoted the prayer of the rosary.

The term "rosary" is derived from the Latin word "Rosarium," which means "a rose garden" or "a garland of flowers."

The recitation of the Holy Rosary has its roots in the early Church, where the Psalms and later the 'Our Father' were recited 150 times. With the rise of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this was later simplified to the recitation of "Hail Mary" 150 times.

The rosary has undergone various transformations before reaching its present form. It has been described as a prayerful participation in the life of Jesus Christ, reflecting Mary's devoted following of Him. Thus, by reciting the Holy Rosary, we accompany Mary in her journey with Jesus Christ.

IS THE ROSARY BIBLICAL?

The question of whether the word "rosary" appears in the Bible has been asked for years. There is no explicit mention of the word in Scripture; however, the rosary as a prayer has its foundations in the Bible. We can also say that the Bible is present within the rosary.

The rosary begins with the sign of the cross, which signifies our identity with the Triune God. This is followed by the Apostles' Creed and a prayer from Mary at Fatima in 1917:
"O my Jesus, forgive us our sins! Save us from the fires of hell! Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who most need your mercy!"

The Hail Mary includes lines derived from Scripture:
- "Hail Mary, full of grace." (Luke 1:28)
- "The Lord is with you." (Luke 1:28)
- "Blessed are you among women." (Luke 1:41)
- "Blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus." (Luke 1:43)
- "Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death." (James 5:16)

Currently, there are four sets of mysteries, each containing five individual mysteries:
1. The Joyful Mysteries
2. The Luminous Mysteries (added by Pope John Paul II through his apostolic letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, on October 16, 2002)
3. The Sorrowful Mysteries
4. The Glorious Mysteries

Each of these mysteries invites us to participate in the life of Jesus, from His infancy to His passion, resurrection, and the glorious assumption and coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

These mysteries are not only historical events but also biblical truths.

The rosary is a form of contemplation and is considered a powerful weapon against Satan. By reciting the Holy Rosary, we embark on a journey with Mary towards Jesus. Mary does not direct us to herself as the savior of the world; rather, she points us to Jesus. At the wedding in Cana of Galilee, she instructed, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

Mary calls us to obedience to Jesus, our Savior. Through the rosary, we continually seek her intercession as the Mother of God.

PRAYER 🙏🏿:
May our world be saved through the constant intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary. Amen.

Aveee Maria!!!!

03/10/2025

St. Thérèse was born in 1873 in France to Zelie and Louis Martin. The youngest of five siblings, St. Thérèse was known for her strong faith from a young age. She was intelligent but often found school boring due to her quick understanding. At the age of 9, Thérèse fell ill with no cure in sight; she prayed for healing and was miraculously cured after praying to a statue of the Virgin Mary, whom she described as radiating kindness and love.
After this experience, her desire for a religious life intensified, despite her young age. By the time she was 13, two of her older sisters had already joined the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux, and St. Thérèse longed to join them. She pleaded with the local bishop and even Pope Leo XIII during a pilgrimage to Italy, who encouraged her to follow God's will.
In 1888, at the age of 15, St. Thérèse entered the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux. In 1896, she fell ill with tuberculosis and wrote her autobiography, "The Story of a Soul," before passing away in 1897, continuing to praise God until her last breath.

St. Thérèse's spirituality, known as the "Little Way," emphasizes finding holiness in everyday life through small acts of love and devotion to God. She was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Her parents, Zelie and Louis Martin, were also canonized as Saints in 2015 by Pope Francis, making them the first married couple to be recognized together.
St. Pope John Paul II recognized St. Thérèse's significant spiritual contributions to the Church by declaring her a doctor of the universal Church in 1997.

PRAYER:
St. Thérèse Morning Offering
“O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen.”

02/10/2025

“How great the dignity of the soul, since each one has from his birth an angel commissioned to guard it.” – St. Jerome
“From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by their watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united in God.” (CCC 336)
Devotion to the Holy Angels brings grace to your life through devout gratitude to God for gifting heavenly angels at our service, peace in facing troublesome life circumstances, and protection in pursuing the Lord.

ANGELE DEI PRAYER:
Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love
commits me here,
ever this day,
be at my side,
to light and guard,
rule and guide.
Amen.

02/10/2025

Take a look at the highlights from our "Hangout with Mother Mary" event. The day was filled with blessings, laughter, games, fun, and surprising prizes. With a rekindled faith, we danced with Mama Maria.
Special thanks to all those showed up or supported us in one way or another. God bless you.

01/10/2025

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, NIGERIA
~REV. FR. Ambrose Ofodile Dei Verbum

Nigeria is 65 years old—a country rich in diverse cultural heritage, with a population of over 200 million people. It is a giant with enormous prospects, blessed with significant natural and human resources, and populated by numerous talented, resourceful, and hardworking individuals. With the highest number of intellectuals in Africa across various fields, Nigeria boasts a dynamic and youthful population.

Yet, despite these advantages, Nigeria continues to struggle with widespread poverty. In a nation where human life often seems undervalued, many citizens live below the poverty line. The situation is worsened by insensitive and ruthless leaders, whose actions prioritize their self-aggrandizement over the welfare of the people who elected them.

People are clandestinely and brazenly harmed and killed, often subjected to inhumane treatment. We find ourselves in a state reminiscent of the Hobbesian state of nature, where life is short and brutish, and man becomes a wolf to his fellow man. This is a country where the lives of animals are sometimes valued more than those of humans, where affluence coexists with extreme poverty, and where the end justifies the means, particularly in the quest for wealth. There is a troubling desire for miraculous power and glory among politicians and, regrettably, also among some religious leaders.

Our churches have, unfortunately, become places where politicians of questionable character converge, seeking divine mandates to pursue their ambitions. Many ministers of God now offer "anointing for leadership" to the highest bidder, reflecting a disturbing trend.

As it appears God is withdrawing from our churches, we see politicians committing all kinds of blasphemy, from kidnapping ministers to outright killings. Some come bearing bags full of money to entice vulnerable ministers, who often find that these funds are later reclaimed through abduction.

There is truth in Chinua Achebe's assertion in THE TROUBLE WITH NIGERIA that the core issue facing Nigeria is leadership. While I concur, I also believe that this leadership failure is compounded by the proliferation of churches, prophecies, and 'anointing.' We are besieged by an overwhelming number of churches multiplying at an alarming rate, with many lies being spread in the name of Christ. People go so far as to deliver fake prophecies and stage miracles to deceive unsuspecting followers of God.

Another significant challenge for Nigeria is the state of learned silence, where we have become complacent in the face of poor leadership and dire economic conditions. Nigerians have learned to endure their hardships silently and with forced smiles, surrendering to a sense of defeat. We resemble a conquered people.

Even though the situation has become unbearable, we cannot simply "catalog our problems, analyze them, and sit still, lamenting our unfortunate fate."

The solution to our national problems lies in a sincere return to God. Our nation's standing depends on our genuine appreciation of and invitation for Jesus Christ into every aspect of our lives.

Prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 11: 1-10, offers us hope as a nation, reminding us of the blessings that await us when we return to God with sincere hearts. We shall be granted justice, faithfulness, peace, love, tolerance, and knowledge of God. Just as Jesus' family sought refuge in Egypt, the call for us to seek refuge in our refugium peccatorum, our Blessed Mother Mary, is more urgent than ever. The role of Mary in the economy of salvation cannot be overstated. Recognizing this, the Church in Nigeria has set aside the Independence Day of Nigeria as a day to rededicate and unite ourselves with Mary, our Lady Queen and Patroness of Nigeria.

PRAYER🙏: May the Blessed Virgin Mary, full of grace and who accepted the role of mother to our Lord Jesus Christ, continue to intercede for us. May her Son restore peace and love in our dear country. Amen.

MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU;
✝THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, NIGERIA
HAPPY NEW MONTH

30/09/2025

St. Jerome lived during the fourth and fifth centuries. He began his studies in Dalmatia, a region in Croatia, before continuing on to Rome, where he became proficient in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, and Chaldaic languages.
Similar to Saint Augustine, Jerome led a worldly life during his academic years and indulged in various pleasures. He was known for his fiery temper and involvement in heated debates. In 366, Jerome's friend persuaded him to convert to Christianity, and he was subsequently baptized.
After living as a hermit for four years, he was urged to become a priest to assist the troubled church of Antioch.
St. Jerome is renowned for his translation of the Bible into Latin, known as the "Vulgate." This translation was a significant project that he dedicated many years to, consulting various sources and even traveling to the Holy Land to study the original biblical languages. The Vulgate remains a masterpiece of translation and is highly regarded as one of the most important versions of the Bible.

He once said, “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ,” exhorting us to read and dialogue with the living Word of God in Sacred Scripture in order to truly know Jesus.
Jerome died around 420 AD, and was named a doctor of the Church.

Prayer from St. Jerome:
O Lord, show Your mercy to me
and gladden my heart.
I am like the man on the way to Jericho
who was overtaken by robbers,
wounded and left for dead.
O Good Samaritan, come to my aid.
I am like the sheep that went astray.
O Good Shepherd, seek me out
and bring me home in accord with Your will.
Let me dwell in Your house all the days of my life
and praise You forever and ever with those who are there.
Amen.

St. Jerome, pray for us.

29/09/2025

The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.
Who are they? St. Augustine says: "'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit;’ if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel:’ from what they are, ‘spirit,’ from what they do, ‘angel’”.
With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Mt 18:10; Ps 103:20). As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness. ~Catechism of the Catholic Church #328–330.
The Catholic Church recognizes the existence of only three Archangels, or the three mentioned in the Scriptures: Michael (“Who is like God?”), Gabriel (“God’s Power”) and Raphael (“God’s Doctor”).

PRAYER:
"Archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, we invoke your powerful intercession before the throne of God in heaven. By your spiritual assistance, protect us from harm, heal us of our infirmities, and convey to us God's will for our lives." Amen

28/09/2025

28/09/2025

Radio Maria Nigeria-Enugu hang out with Mother Mary

28/09/2025

*Daily Reflection*

*TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR C*

*SUNDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 2025*

*INSENSITIVITY: THE CASE OF DIVES AND LAZARUS!*

*Amos 6:1a, 4-7*
*1 Timothy 6:11-16*
*Luke 16:19-31*
*~Rev. Fr. Ambrose Ofodile*

The prophecy of Amos contains three speeches that begin with the word “woe!” Several prophets have used this term to describe a curse, scorn, or bitterness. It can also serve as a taunt directed at someone’s foolishness.

1. The first woe condemns blatant social injustice,
2. The second announces the day of the Lord as a day of wrath against Israel,
3. The third woe forms the crux of today’s first reading.

Today’s woe is directed at the complacent, the overconfident, and the overindulgent. Amos proclaims that the Lord will send devastation and punishment upon those who claim to be blind to the misery of the poor—those who are indifferent, unpatriotic, and unsympathetic, as well as those who grow fat off the poverty of others.

The rich people in Amos' time are no different from the rich man in today’s gospel, and they are also not different from the wealthy of our own day. Today, the rich are represented by elites, intellectuals, powerful figures, religious leaders, political authorities, teachers, animators, and role models.

In various churches, mosques, schools, and workplaces, many insensitive leaders show indifference towards the conditions of the populace. Some ministers of God manipulate and exploit unsuspecting congregants, while lecturers and teachers may be morally compromised and driven by financial gain. Our society has become socially maladjusted, economically bankrupt, spiritually depleted, educationally starved, psychologically exhausted, and physically displaced.

It is against such insensitive and callous leaders that Amos prophesied today.

Some people in society today have become unconcerned about the state of the nation. Greed has taken hold of them, leading to arrogance and selfishness.

In the three woes that characterize Amos’ prophecy, we observe a connection between the rich of his time and the rich man in today’s gospel. By establishing structures of injustice, they perpetuate the impoverishment of the poor, like Lazarus. They amass enormous wealth that could be used to uplift the common person, all while clinging to a culture of corruption and greed—leading affluent lives at the expense of the poor.

In Nigeria, the wealthy often recycle themselves in power, sometimes exhibiting arrogance and pride, living as though this world is the entirety of existence.

However, Amos’ second woe warns us that the day of the Lord, typically seen as a blessing, will also be a day of judgment. When the wealthy man and Lazarus died, Lazarus was taken to a place of comfort in the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man (Dives) suffered in Hades.

Regarding the third woe, which curses the complacent and indifferent, we learn that Dives' sin was not one of active cruelty toward Lazarus but rather his indifference to Lazarus' dire situation. It was a sin of omission, as stated in James 4:17.

The Latin name "Dives" means "rich." He was dressed in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day, effectively violating the third commandment, which forbids work on the Sabbath.

Conversely, the name "Lazarus" means "God is my help." He was a beggar, covered in sores, utterly helpless as dogs came to lick his wounds.

It was not Dives' actions that condemned him to hell but rather his inaction. He remained insensitive to Lazarus' plight, who was hungry and suffering, and he did nothing to help. The rich man represents indolent self-indulgence in a society where many struggle to eat three meals a day, laboring tirelessly throughout the week. The stark contrast between the wealth of the rich and the poverty of the masses is both alarming and disconcerting.

In response to this indifference and these dire situations, St. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, advises us to strive for holiness. He inspires us to seek eternal life and to steadfastly do good while awaiting the coming of the Messiah. He extols Jesus Christ as the ruler, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, to whom all sovereignty and power belong. We are called to be compassionate towards the poor among us.

*PRAYER: 🙏* May the Lord Jesus Christ grant us the grace to always be mindful of the poor and vulnerable among us and to work towards alleviating their suffering. Amen.
*MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU:*
*✝️THE FATHER, SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, AMEN.*
*HAPPY SUNDAY!*

27/09/2025

Born in Puy-en-Velay, France in 1581, St. Vincent de Paul was the son of a merchant and a farmer. Despite a challenging childhood due to his father's early death, he excelled academically and pursued studies in law before feeling called to the priesthood.

Ordained in 1600, St. Vincent de Paul was deeply moved by the poverty he witnessed in Clichy, prompting him to dedicate his life to serving the poor. He founded the Congregation of the Mission, or the Vincentians, to aid the marginalized and later collaborated with St. Louise de Marillac to establish the Daughters of Charity.

Known for his fervent preaching and spiritual guidance, St. Vincent de Paul's legacy of charity and service to the less fortunate continues to inspire Catholic charity organizations worldwide. His impact as the "father of modern charity" endures, motivating individuals to make a positive difference in society.

PRAYER:
“Lord, teach us to be generous;
To give without counting the cost;
To return good for evil;
To serve without expecting some reward;
To draw closer to those whom we find repulsive;
To do good to those who cannot reciprocate;
To love generously;
To work without being concerned about rest;
To be solely concerned about giving;
To give our whole self;
To give to those who need us,
Hoping to receive only You, Lord, as our reward.
Amen.”

26/09/2025

Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs—(c. Late Third Century–c. 287 or 303)
As prominent Christians, they were among the first to be arrested during the great persecution under Diocletian. Lysias, the governor of Cilicia, ordered their arrest, and they were subsequently beheaded. According to tradition, their bodies were taken to Syria and buried at Cyrrhus.

They were venerated early on and became known as patrons of medicine, renowned for their healing miracles. Emperor Justinian, who was cured through their intercession, showed special reverence to the city of Cyrrhus where their relics were kept. Their basilica in Rome, adorned with beautiful mosaics, was consecrated in 530. They are included in the Roman Martyrology and in the Canon of the Mass, indicating the ancient origins of their feast day.

Prayer:
Saints Cosmas and Damian, you were touched by Christ and sought to share your faith in Him through your selfless and free service to all who needed your medical care. When persecuted, you remained strong in your faith, preferring death over sin. Please pray for me, that I will follow your example of selfless service to others and will have the courage to be a witness to Christ no matter the cost. I also entrust to you, this day, all who are ill and in need of your prayers.

Saints Cosmas and Damian, pray for us.
Patron Saints of apothecaries, barbers, blind people, chemical industry, druggists, midwives, physicians, pharmacists, surgeons