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Blessed Cyprian Michael Tansi


Blessed Cyprian (1903-1964) was ordained a priest in Nigeria on Dec 19, 1937. He served in several parishes in Nigeria before becoming a Trappist monk at Mount St. Bernard's Abby in England.  

Thank you Father Emmanuel for this information.


February 7, 2015


NOVENA FOR PEACE IN NIGERIA


Diocese starts novena for peace in Nigeria following Boko Haram attacks and killing of 2,000 people: Pray with us!


The Diocese of Maiduguri led by its Bishop, Oliver Dashe Doeme has started a nine day novena of prayer for peace. The novena will end and coincide with Nigeria’s presidential and general elections scheduled for 14 February, 2015. Maiduguri Diocese Director of Communications, Fr. Gideon Obasogie has made a passionate appeal calling on all Nigerians and well-wishers all over the world to pray for peace in Nigeria,


“The Diocese of Maiduguri has suffered greatly from terrorist activities of the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram. From the waves of recent attacks, we have seen for ourselves, a group of miscreants, successfully snowball into a sophisticated and ferocious terrorist network capable of pulling down nations. We have come to witness a culture of savagery and bloodletting over the years perpetrated by Boko Haram,” said Fr. Obasogie. He continues to say that the Northeastern part of Nigeria is still experiencing unrelenting large-scale slaughter of innocent civilians. “The mayhem inflicted on helpless citizens is unprecedented and irreparable. Lives have been lost and thousands are now internally displaced or have crossed the border as refugees, while opportunity for growth and progress have been truncated,” Fr. Obasogie explained.

According to Fr. Obasogie the Diocese of Maiduguri is currently faced with the challenge of caring for IDPs. He concluded, “Pray with us!”

(e-mail: engafrica@vatiradio.va)


THE OFFICIAL PRAYER FOR PEACE IN NIGERIA


God the Father our creator, God the Son our Redeemer, God the Holy Spirit our Sanctifier!

We praise and thank you for the precious gift of Nigeria, which was and still remains a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic as well as multi-religious society. Your gift of tolerance, moderation, accommodation and Love for one another were the traits that made great this people and this society.


Sadly though, in recent times, they have been plagued by political, ethnic and religious crises and have suffered the destruction of lives and property. We humbly ask for the gift of reconciliation, that we forgive each other. Heal the wounds with the radiance of your love and mercy. Teach us to live in peace and harmony.


May their leaders be instruments of love, peace, tolerance, social and economic development. Help them to be selfless in service and to lead their people in the path of dialogue and reconciliation, so that they can truly be one family, working for the common good. May dissenting views be a source of harmony and peaceful coexistence! Bless and provide for their youth and help them to be peace loving.


Lord may the weapons of evil, hatred and violence be silenced by love. May we enjoy unity and stability as your children who live, move and have our being in you.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

O Jesus prince of peace: be merciful, restore permanent peace to the world and, these days especially, to Nigeria, from north to south.

Our Lady Queen of Peace: Obtain for us peace in our hearts, peace in our families, peace in our countries.

Amen

November 2, 2014

October Cease Fire Denied by Boko Haram Leader Girls Not to be Returned

The joy of the news on October 16th has been crushed by the statements this weekend by Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau. In a video released Saturday, Shekau denied any earlier agreement of truce with the Nigerian government. He refuted any intention of the release of the schoolgirls kidknapped in April from Chibok. This is devastating news for the families of these daughters. Shekau contended that the girls had already been married and have converted to Islam.

Perhaps I was naive in my belief that peace had been reached in Nigeria. The violence reported in the days following October 16th were thought to be a delay in the news of the truce agreement reaching militia in the remote areas. Now two weeks later, the violence and series of events speaks to the fact that the truce was not made in good faith. This past weekend, 30 boys and girls were abducted from a village in Northwest Nigeria. This was simply the latest in a long string of kidnappings of which one may never know a true figure.


We must continue to pray for these children, their families, and for a dramatic change that will cause a just negotiations between the parties. We must continue with fervor to join with the Bishops of Nigeria in the final months of their National Novena (Article below).

For unity, peace and good governance in Nigeria; eradication of corruption and promotion of justice in Nigeria and promotion of family values, of the family institution and protection of human life in Nigeria, respectively.


Please know as you pray that the violence against Catholics and Christians in Nigeria continues that the faith of these beautiful people increases. In the face of evil, they have chosen God. We must pray that in similar circumstances, we would do the same. Regardless of our differences, we need to join in solidarity with people of faith though out the world. This is a time for prayer and fasting in a spirit of gratitude to Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Choose something you can offer for these brothers and sisters as a sacrifice as they stand strong in the face of danger. To see their faces in prayer is to view sanctity. May God sustain them in this time of trial.

Lord Jesus Christ,


Please bring peace to this troubled world. May our acts of prayer and sacrifice be joined with You. May violence cease, wrongs be righted, slaves be freed, and Your Name be sung in union and peace.

Amen

Join with the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria in Prayer!


November's Intention - For unity, peace and good governance in Nigeria; eradication of corruption and promotion of justice in Nigeria and promotion of family values, of the family institution and protection

of human life in Nigeria, respectively.


CATHOLIC BISHOPS DECLARE SIX MONTHS NATIONAL PRAYER FOR NIGERIA


The Catholic Church in Nigeria has outlined a six-month marathon prayer for all faithful in the country for God’s intervention for the multi-dimensional security and socio-economic plaguing the country, especially the threat to stability and peace as a result of the activities of the nefarious Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalist group, kidnapping and other criminal activities, including corruption.

The programme which is at the instance of the Administrative Board of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) will commence in the month of July with special prayers for the safe release and return of all abducted and kidnapped people in Nigeria, particularly students of Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. The six-month programme will end in December with prayers focused on the promotion of family values, of the family institution and protection of human life in Nigeria.

According to a statement titled: A NATIONAL CALL TO PRAYER, signed by Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, President of the Conference and released in Abuja on June 4, all the Bishops, Priests, religious and Lay faithful in the country were called upon to oblige the call with total commitment. The high point of the six month prayer programme is the National Rosary Prayer Pilgrimage to be held at the National Christian (Ecumenical) Centre, Abuja; from the evening of Thursday, November 14 to the morning of Friday, November 15; and to be attended by Bishops and Catholic faithful from all the 55 Archdioceses, dioceses and Vicariates in the country.


The guidelines for prayer in the letter were directed at families, parishes and the national level which comes up in November. Families were encouraged to pray the Rosary together at home every Saturday while parishes are expected to hold a One Hour Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration on the last Sunday of each of the six months, with the bishops’ presiding at the Cathedral Church.


The prayer points for the six month period are as follows: July: for the safe release and return of all abducted and kidnapped people of Nigeria; August: for those who have suffered and are suffering violence because of the crisis in Nigeria and , September; for all security agents who have lost life, limbs and property in the service of dear fatherland. The months of October, November and December are for: unity, peace and good governance in Nigeria; eradication of corruption and promotion of justice in Nigeria and promotion of family values, of the family institution and protection of human life in Nigeria, respectively.


The statement concluded: “In anticipation of your fervent participation, we pray that our merciful God show us His mercy and heal our dear country.”

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