The 2017 Marian Year as proclaimed by the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) which was flagged of in the Dioceses across the nation was recently celebrated at deanery levels of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto during the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Tuesday, 15th of August.
The celebration of the Marian Year in the various deaneries started with a Rosary Procession, Confession and then the Holy Mass.
The Diocesan Chancellor, Rev Fr Onuh, Ladi Sixtus during his homily at Holy Family Cathedral, Sokoto State talked about the four(4) dogmas of the church on the Blessed Virgin Mary as follows;
Firstly, the Perpetual Virginity of Mary, Secondly the theory that Mary is the Mother of God, thirdly, the Immaculate conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
Lastly, the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary body and soul into heaven, which was commemorated.
He said, ''if men of God in the bible, like Enoch and Elijah were assumed into heaven, what more of the Mother of Christ that suffered for 33 years and 6 months for her son-Jesus Christ".
Furthermore,he said that the ark of the covenant carried the word of God in it and the Blessed Mother Mary carried the word of God in her womb-Christ Jesus and as such, we Catholics and Christians should honour her and seek for her intercession as she is now with Christ in heaven.
During the mass, some devotees of Marian de Montfort that had embarked on a 33 days novena which ended that day were consecrated.
The Cathedral Administrator, Rev. Fr. Capt. S.C. Okafor, thanked everyone for turning out en masse to honour our Lady-The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Similarly, the Dean of Gusau, Very Rev. Fr. Cyril Ibe spoke extensively on the various virtues of our Mother Mary during the celebration at St Edwards Catholic church Zamfara state. He encouraged all present to emulate and seek the Blessed Mother Mary's intercession.
