"Wounded for Our Healing": Thousands Gather at Okhuokhuo-Isi for the 2026 Archdiocesan Divine Mercy Feast


​

-By Ruben Mario Brodrick 

OKHUOKHUO-ISI – The air at the Divine Mercy Pilgrimage Centre was thick with incense and intense devotion on Saturday, April 11, 2026, as a massive crowd of the faithful descended upon Okhuo-Okhuo Isi. The occasion was the Archdiocesan Feast of Mercy, a spiritual summit that brought together the broken-hearted and the hopeful under the powerful theme: "Wounded to Bring Us Mercy and Healing."

​A Miraculous Testimony: From Despair to Leadership

​The day’s spiritual journey began with a moving address by Dr. (Mrs.) Pauline E. Akpe, the Archdiocesan Leader of the Divine Mercy Apostolates. Her talk, titled "Divine Mercy: Vessel of Trust, Heart of Gratitude," was more than a lecture; it was a raw, personal revelation.

​She shared a harrowing story of a young woman—burdened by misery and on the how she was feeling tired, becoming hopeless with the loss of motivation, but she however wandered into a Catholic Church despite having no knowledge of the faith. By simply sitting before the Tabernacle in a "singular act of trust," her life was radically transformed. In a moment that moved many to tears, Dr. Akpe revealed that she was that very woman.

​She challenged the pilgrims to understand that trust is the "nucleus of our faith." She emphasized that the Divine Mercy devotion is not a seasonal event but a daily necessity, explaining that a heart of gratitude acts as a pathway for God’s blessings, turning even the most desperate situations into fountains of joy.

​The Archbishop’s Message: The Theology of Scars

​The celebration reached its liturgical peak with the Pontifical Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine O. Akubeze. In a profound homily, the Archbishop unpacked the mystery of Christ’s suffering, noting that the wounds of Jesus are not signs of defeat, but "scars of victory."

​Archbishop Akubeze provided a deep catechesis on the Divine Mercy Image, explaining that the pale ray represents the water which makes souls righteous, while the red ray symbolizes the Blood which is the life of souls. He reminded the congregation that the soldiers who pierced Christ’s side unwittingly opened the floodgates of grace for all of humanity.

​"Our healing does not come from the unblemished skin of Jesus," the Archbishop declared, "but from His wounds." He urged the pilgrims to bring their own "wounds of betrayal, abandonment, and abuse" to the altar, promising that through mercy, these painful scars can be transformed into channels of love rather than sources of bitterness.

​A Day of Deep Spiritual Healing

​The pilgrimage was a marathon of grace, stretching far beyond the Mass. The atmosphere was one of profound penance as long queues formed for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, with priests working tirelessly to mediate God's forgiveness.

​The spiritual exercises were diverse and rigorous:

  • ​The Rosary and Chaplet: The congregation joined their voices in the recitation of the 20 decades of the Rosary, creating a rhythmic wall of prayer that echoed across the pilgrimage grounds.
  • ​Adoration and Deliverance: During the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a special deliverance session was conducted by Rev. Fr. Adolphus Umechukwu (popularly known as "Fr. Pastor"). This session focused on breaking spiritual chains and seeking liberation from the "terror" of sin and despair.
  • ​Apostolic Mandate: Archbishop Akubeze reminded the faithful of the extraordinary promise recorded in St. Faustina’s Diary—that those who go to Confession and receive Holy Communion on this feast day receive the total remission of all temporal punishments for their sins.

​Dignitaries and Community Impact

​The event drew a vast array of leadership from across the state and church. In attendance were the Vicar General, Very Rev. Fr. Augustine Ehigie; the Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Oyanoafoh; and Very Rev. Fr. James Chima, the Dean of Abudu.

​The presence of the Enogie of Okhuo-Okhuo Isi and other traditional rulers, alongside government functionaries and various Orders of Knights and Ladies, underscored the significance of the pilgrimage to the social and spiritual fabric of Edo State.

​As the celebration concluded with a grand thanksgiving, the message of the day remained etched in the hearts of the pilgrims: Mercy is the greatest attribute of God, and through the "vessel of trust," no soul is beyond the reach of His healing touch. The day ended with a thunderous collective cry that shook the shrine: "Jesus, I Trust in You!"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking: Agbor Catholic Community Mourns as Fr. Chukwuma Collapses, Dies on the Pulpit During New Year Mass

Image
-​By Ruben Mario Brodrick  The Catholic Diocese of Issele-Uku and the entire Ika nation have been plunged into deep mourning following the sudden and poetic transition of one of their most dedicated spiritual pillars, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Chukwuma . In an event that has left the congregation of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Boji-Boji Agbor, in a state of shock and solemn reflection, the beloved cleric breathed his last while performing his final earthly duty: presiding over the New Year Day Mass. ​Witnesses recount that Father Chukwuma was standing at the pulpit, delivering the message of hope for the year 2026, when he collapsed in the presence of his parishioners. Despite the immediate efforts of those present, it became clear that the veteran priest had finished his race. For many of the faithful, his death is seen as a "saintly exit," occurring while he was clad in his sacred vestments and standing at the altar of God—the very place he dedicated his...
Read more

Archbishop Akubeze Announces the Passing of Fr. Jude Ezenwa

Image
-By Ruben Mario Brodrick  It is with a heavy heart that Archbishop Augustine Obiora Akubeze announces the passing of Fr. Jude Ezenwa, who died on the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, 2025. The news was shared by Fr. Mike Oyanoafoh on behalf of the Archbishop. Fr. Jude Ezenwa will be remembered for his dedication and service as Parish Priest of Immaculate Conception Parish, Ugo in Orhiomwon  Local Government Area of Edo State.  Further details regarding funeral arrangements and memorial services will be announced in the coming days. We ask for prayers for the repose of his soul and for his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in perfect peace.
Read more

Why Pope Francis died -Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

Image
Why Pope Francis died -Pastor Chris Oyakhilome April 26, 2025  Pope Francis Was Killed, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome Reveals Chris Oyakhilome, A controversial Nigerian cleric, has claimed without evidence that Pope Francis died from the effects of taking the coronavirus vaccine. Mr Oyakhilome, president of LoveWorld Incorporated, made the claim on Saturday, about five years after he falsely claimed that there was a link between the 5G network, Coronavirus, and the Anti-Christ. In April 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown directives, the pastor slammed his colleagues for consenting to the closure of churches. In January 2021, Pope Francis said that people have a moral obligation to receive one of the new COVID-19 vaccines, revealing that he was expecting his first dose. According to the National Catholic Reporter, the pope said that taking the vaccine was a moral choice because it was about saving lives. Claim on Pope’s death While the Vatican announced on Mon...
Read more