Pictures: Worshippers during the Ave Maria Praise and effigy of Virgin Mary
By Eche Nwaobasi, Onitsha
A remarkable display of faith and spiritual fervour was witnessed at SS John and Paul Catholic Church, Iba Pope, Awada-Obosi, as multitudes gathered for the 2026 Ave Maria Praise organised by the Faith Inspiration Initiative.
The programme, held to celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary, featured prayers, praise, gospel music, cultural displays and spiritual reflections, with some participants reportedly speaking in tongues and others offering prophetic utterances during the event.
The Faith Inspiration Initiative was founded by Very Rev. Fr. George Adimike, a Catholic priest of the Onitsha Archdiocese and Chief Press Secretary to the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke.
The organisation is also known for humanitarian activities, including assistance to poor widows, payment of medical bills for indigent patients and scholarships for less-privileged students.
The event, themed “Fill the Jar, Make Room for Fresh Wine,” was drawn from John 2:1-11.
Representing Archbishop Okeke, the parish priest, Very Rev. Dr. Aloysius Maduka Agba, prayed for the success of the programme and safe journeys for participants. He described Faith Inspiration Initiative as a movement comprising youths, adults, clergy and seminarians committed to spreading the gospel.
Agba also commended Fr. Adimike for establishing the initiative and encouraged the faithful to emulate the virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A former PDP governorship candidate in Anambra State, Chief Valentine Ozigbo, urged Christians to draw closer to God and serve Him faithfully. Recalling a spiritual experience in Portugal, Ozigbo encouraged devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and distributed rosaries to participants.
In his lecture, Rev. Fr. Barr. Johnbosco Igwe highlighted virtues associated with Mary, including faith, gratitude, poverty, contemplation and resilience, urging Christians to apply such virtues in their daily lives.
Fr. Adimike, while expressing appreciation to the clergy, dignitaries and other supporters, said he was confident that the next edition would be bigger and better.
Highlights included performances by comedians and gospel artistes, cultural dances, drama, the cutting of the Ave Maria 2026 cake and gospel music performances.
Tags: Ave Maria Praise, Faith Inspiration Initiative, Awada-Obosi, Catholic Church
