The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos to Host This Year’s Novena

August 1, 2023199 views0

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos to Host This Year’s Novena

2023-08-01T11:37:57+01:00

By Church News

In a statement by the Coordinator of the Novena Planning Committee, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fadairo, the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos is set to host this year’s Novena from August 6 to August 15, 2023, at the Archdiocesan Marian Shrine in Maryland.The nine days of prayers, in preparation for the Solemnity of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary will include daily Novena and Rosary prayers, sacraments of confession and anointing of the sick, Stations of the Cross, exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and daily Masses.The event which is being hosted by the Lagos Archdiocesan Confraternity of Christian Mothers (CCM) has as its theme: “Mary, Mother of all Believers”(John 19:25).Catholics from Lagos and adjoining dioceses are expected to participate in this Novena, which will be rounded off on the Feast Day of the Assumption on August 15, 2023 with procession and Holy Mass to be celebrated by His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, the Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.A novena is an ancient tradition of devotional praying in Christianity, consisting of private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks. The nine days between the Feast of the Ascension and Pentecost, when the disciples gathered in the upper room and devoted themselves to prayer, is often considered to be the first novena.In some Christian communities, such as in Africa, Latin America and the Philippines, novena traditions are popular and include devotional rituals such as congregational prayers, the decoration of statues, hymn singing with music, as well as community fiesta events over beverages, refreshments or processions.ALSO READ: Squawking or Singing – Marilyn Ehle