Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Rev. Fr. David Okolie We hope that this page will help all of us learn together. Remain blessed!

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FAITH SUSTAINS VIRTUESBy Rev. Fr. David OkolieDearest friends, Thomas à Kempis was actually right when he affirmed that:...
16/08/2026

FAITH SUSTAINS VIRTUES

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

Thomas à Kempis was actually right when he affirmed that: *‘What one is at the beginning of one's conversion, is not often what one remains at the end of one's profession.'* indeed, quite often, there is this *INITIAL zeal and dedication* that seem to be abandoned after some time. While the above could be noticed in different areas of life, it seems to be more obvious in our Christian Vocation. *Just think about the ZEAL you had when you receive the Baptism (for those who were baptized as adults), the ZEAL associated with your First Holy Communion and Confirmation. What about the ZEAL when you were newly ordained priest or when you were newly wedded? Is that ZEAL still in you?*

Well, it is actually only those who would remain steadfast in VIRTUE till the end that would eventually be SAVED (cf. Matt 24:13). Thus, it is very important to always RENEW our ZEAL and DEDICATION in our Christian journey; in obeying God's Commandments; in upholding a life of virtue. The above is only possible through *FAITH.* Thus, *a life of virtue seems to be abandoned when Faith begins to dry up.* Thus, the Scripture affirms: *“Without FAITH, it is impossible to please God"* (cf. Heb 11:6).

However, we cannot really claim to be men and women of Faith when our lifestyles do not conform to VIRTUES rooted in the obedience of the Commandments of God. Thus, the Catechism affirms: *“The prayer of FAITH consists not only in saying "Lord, Lord," but in disposing the heart to do the WILL of the Father"* (cf. CCC n. 2611). While God is always happy when we approach Him with Faith, He is not happy with us when we live a faithless life. Thus, the Catechism teaches: *“Jesus is as saddened by the "lack of faith" of his own neighbors and the "little faith" of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman"* (cf. CCC n. 2610, Matt 8:10; 15:28).

Beloved friends, are there some virtues you have abandoned to join the WORLD? Please, go back to those virtues and remain steadfast, for God rewards those who keep FAITH till the end🙏🏼

We pray the Blessed Virgin Mary to always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼

Happy Sunday and remain blessed!

(cf. CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE' FOR THE 20TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A);
READINGS: R1: Is 56:1.6-7, R2: Rom 11:13-15.29-32, Gosp. Matt 15:21-28)

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THE ARK OF THE NEW COVENANT(The Assumption of the B.V.M)By Rev. Fr. David OkolieDearest friends, It was on November 1, 1...
15/08/2026

THE ARK OF THE NEW COVENANT
(The Assumption of the B.V.M)

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

It was on November 1, 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution *‘Munificentissimus Deus’* (i.e, The Most Bountiful God), that Pope Pius XII declared the *ASSUMPTION of the Blessed Virgin Mary* a dogma in the following words:

👉🏼 *“… after we have poured forth prayers of supplication again and again to God, and have invoked the light of the Spirit of Truth, for the glory of Almighty God who has lavished his special affection upon the Virgin Mary, for the honor of her Son, the immortal King of the Ages and the Victor over sin and death, for the increase of the glory of that same august Mother, and for the joy and exultation of the entire Church; by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and by our own authority, we pronounce, declare, and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma: that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory. Hence if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which we have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith”* (cf.‘Munificentissimus Deus’, nn. 44-45).

Let us remember that the Pope, as the successor of St. Peter, cannot err when he teaches about Faith or Morals (cf. CCC, n. 891).

Apart from the infallibility of the Pope, we have some biblical supports of this solemnity. For example, Psalm 132:8 affirms: *"Arise, O Lord, into your rest; you, and the ark of your strength. "* In the above passage, the *'ARK'* refers to the Virgin Mary, who is the *'ARK of the New Covenant'* because God preserved the Word – Jesus Christ – in her womb. Thus, the biblical passage suggests that our Lord Jesus Christ assumed the body and soul of his mother Mary into heaven, to dwell with him eternally. Hence, *the Lord will not allow his loved one to decay* (cf. Ps 16:10).

Furthermore, in the New Testament, we will recall that after Jesus entrusted his mother, Mary to the care of the Apostle John (cf. Jn 19:26-27), John never told us what happened to her later, instead, he promises to tell us in his words, thus:
*"There are several things I have to tell you, but I have thought it best not to trust it to paper and ink. I hope instead to visit you and talk to you personally so that our JOY may be complete"* (cf. 2 Jn 1:12).

Consequently, in order to always escape the daily threats of the ancient *DRAGON*, i.e, the devil (cf. Rev 12:1-17), as children of Mary, we should always hide under her maternal mantle through sincere devotional practices towards her *(Praying the ROSARY daily as the foremost).* We can always be sure that each time we run to her, she would never fail to take us to his beloved son, Jesus Christ, who would make sure that we share in his victory over death (cf. 1 Cor 15:20-26).

👉🏼 Please, do not forget that we actually *celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary, not as a SUPER BEING but as a HUMBLE CREATURE in whom the GRACE of God triumphed EXCEEDINGLY.*

Therefore, let us join the Universal Church in celebrating this grace-filled Solemnity by observing it as a HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION, Praying our ROSARY, and joining in a Eucharistic celebration.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for us always. Amen🙏🏼

Happy solemnity and remain blessed!

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WHEN FAITH IS THREATENEDBy Rev. Fr. David OkolieDearest friends, Do you think that FAITH in God can truly be ascertained...
09/08/2026

WHEN FAITH IS THREATENED

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

Do you think that FAITH in God can truly be ascertained in the face of COMFORT? Well, I really do not think so.

It is actually in the face of some life challenges — when our faith is THREATENED, perhaps, by difficulties, failure, persecution, etc., and we are able to stand firm — that we can, to some extent, say that we have faith in God.

Sometimes, we see men and women who manifest a reasonable level of faith in God; they go to Church often and participate actively in the life of the Church. Yet, when faced with some serious life challenges, these same persons degenerate into *FAITHLESSNESS.* Not only is this a total betrayal of God, but it is also scandalous to the growth of authentic Christian faith among the faithful.

Well, in my opinion, one of the reasons why a number of Christians tend to lose their faith in God when faced with life challenges is that, more often than not, we do not think about the possibility of losing faith, no matter how faithful we are today.

Indeed, any Christian who has not arrived at this conviction: *“We walk by FAITH, not by SIGHT”* (cf. 2 Cor 5:7; CCC n. 164), stands the risk of losing his/her faith in the near future. The same applies to the person who does not always *LOOK TO Jesus as the author and perfecter of our FAITH* (cf. Heb 12:2).

Therefore, dearest friends, it is advisable that we always pray for the gift of STRONG FAITH, irrespective of our present relationship with God.

👉🏼 Please, do not forget that FAITH is one of the *THREE Theological Virtues which God grants FREELY to those who earnestly ask for it* (cf. CCC nn. 1812-1814). Scripture is also quite clear when it affirms: *“But without FAITH, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God...”* (cf. Heb 11:6).

We pray that the Blessed Virgin Mary may always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen 🙏🏼

Happy Sunday, and remain blessed!

(CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE’ FOR THE 19TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A;
READINGS: R1: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a; R2: Rom 9:1-5; Gospel: Matt 14:22-33)

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AND SHE TOLD ME...By Rev. Fr. David OkolieDearest friends,I really want to share this heartfelt encounter with a young S...
08/08/2026

AND SHE TOLD ME...

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

I really want to share this heartfelt encounter with a young Spanish lady, because it meant a lot to me. Hopefully, it may inspire some people out there.

Today, Saturday, August 8, 2026, as I was coming back from where I went to celebrate Holy Mass, I met this young Spanish lady. The meeting was very brief but quite providential.

I was already seated in the _vaporetto_ — the popular public transport system in Venice, Italy — when some young ladies came in and sat beside me. Immediately, this young lady opened up a conversation with me.

Meanwhile, I was wearing my Roman collar, she asked if I spoke English. When I said yes, she asked if I was Catholic, and I answered in the positive. Then she told me that she really wanted to draw closer to God. She asked, “What advice would you give to me?”

In a few words, I advised her and encouraged her to keep asking God to draw her closer to Himself, and I assured her that God listens and will do it for her. As I was speaking to her, she started crying. I saw a sincere heart that was yearning for God. Then, I reached into my pocket, brought out the Holy Rosary I had, and gave it to her. Her tears kept flowing. Her friends and the other people in the _vaporetto_ were all watching as all of this unfolded. I asked her name, and she said, “MARÍA.”

Then the _vaporetto_ reached the stop where I was to alight. I managed to take a snapshot with her, though it is blurry.

I pray that through this brief encounter, God will draw María closer to Himself, and that the Blessed Virgin Mary may continue to intercede for her. Amen 🙏🏼

Beloved friends, kindly pray that this innermost desire of hers may be granted to her soon 🙏🏼

Remain blessed 🙏

When one stops PRAYING...
04/08/2026

When one stops PRAYING...

THE FOOD THAT DOES NOT SATISFYBy Rev. Fr. David OkolieDearest friends,Do you think that God has stopped feeding His chil...
02/08/2026

THE FOOD THAT DOES NOT SATISFY

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

Do you think that God has stopped feeding His children? Certainly not. God continues to feed us today, not only with physical food but even more with *His WORD and the Holy Eucharist — HIS BODY*.

👉🏼 Speaking of this Word, the Catechism affirms: *“There is a FAMINE on earth: ‘not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the WORDS of the LORD’”* (cf. CCC n. 2835). Continuing, it presents the Holy Eucharist thus: *_“What material food produces in our bodily life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life... It PRESERVES, INCREASES, and RENEWS the life of grace received at Baptism...”* (cf. CCC n. 1392)

👉🏼 Sadly, in the world today, some people no longer value these precious spiritual foods that God offers us. *They prefer to go hungry or waste their money and time on FRIVOLITIES — things that do NOT truly SATISFY the innermost yearning of our hearts*. St. Augustine was once in such a situation before he encountered Jesus Christ and exclaimed: *Our soul is restless until it rests in God* (cf. Confessions 1.1.1).

Therefore, beloved friends, God reminds us today that He still loves us and that He is still feeding us. So, we should not allow anyone or anything to deny us such fatherly and loving care. Jesus Himself says: *“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you”*(cf. Matt 11:28).

We pray that the Blessed Virgin Mary may always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen.

Happy Sunday/New Month and remain blessed!

(CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE' FOR THE 18TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)
READINGS: R1: Is 55:1-3, R2: Rom 8:35.37-39, Gosp. Matt 14:13-21)

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01/08/2026

Dearest friends, may you be richly blessed in this New Month of August 🙏🏼

Happy New Month 🙏
Rev. Fr. David Okolie

LITURGICAL UPDATEDearest friends,Please, kindly note that the MEMORIAL we have tomorrow, Wednesday, JULY 29, has slight ...
28/07/2026

LITURGICAL UPDATE

Dearest friends,

Please, kindly note that the MEMORIAL we have tomorrow, Wednesday, JULY 29, has slight changes.

It now has special PRAYERS different from the ones in some earlier missals.

👉🏼It was in 2021 that the memorial was changed from St Martha to *SS MARTHA, MARY AND LAZARUS*.

You will find the *Presidential Prayers* (i .e the Collect, etc) for Holy Mass in *2026 ORDO, p. 172*.

Remain blessed 🙏

Rev. Fr. David Okolie

THE GREATEST TREASUREBy Rev. Fr. David OkolieDearest friends, I can hardly imagine what else any of us would desire that...
26/07/2026

THE GREATEST TREASURE

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

Dearest friends,

I can hardly imagine what else any of us would desire that is more than *GOING to HEAVEN.* Again, do you really think any effort put toward attaining the Kingdom of Heaven is not worth it?

While the *Kingdom of Heaven is the GREATEST TREASURE* that must be sought after, there are still yearnings in some of us, for things less than it. What is the reason?

👉🏼 Well, we can say that the WEAKNESS of the human nature; which is the consequence of the Original Sin, is the foundational cause of it. However, there are other things which spring from our conscious CHOICES that could make one lose the desire for Heaven. These, the Catechism captures thus: *“Ignorance of Christ and his Gospel, bad example given by others, enslavement to one's passions, assertion of a mistaken notion of autonomy of conscience, rejection of the Church's authority and her teaching, lack of conversion and of charity"* (cf. CCC n. 1792).

Now, we all have the OBLIGATION to always get rid of all the above and *work out our salvation in FEAR and TREMBLING* (cf. Phil 2:12). Again, just like King Solomon, let us always ask God for WISDOM, which would always help us in our daily DISCERNMENT of the things that are truly GOOD and the things that are EVIL, that cannot help us acquire this *Greatest Treasure: the Kingdom of Heaven*.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary always support us with her powerful intercession. Amen🙏🏼
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👉🏼 .B:* We wish all the *Grandparents and the Elderly* God's immense blessings and Heaven at last on this their special day 🙏🏼

Please, make out time to visit any of them today, either physically or virtually (through phone calls, etc).

Happy Sunday and remain blessed!

(CATECHESIS ‘NKUZI NKE OKWUKWE' FOR THE 17TH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)
READINGS: R1: 1 Kgs 3:5.7-12, R2: Rom 8:28-30, Gosp. Matt 13:44-52)

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DEAR PASTORS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANSBy Rev. Fr. David OkolieI met a young boy a few years ago, during my annual leave, wh...
17/07/2026

DEAR PASTORS, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

By Rev. Fr. David Okolie

I met a young boy a few years ago, during my annual leave, who had just completed Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) and was already acquiring various *SKILLS.* In addition to playing the trumpet with the Parish Choral Group, his parents had enrolled him in a *TAILORING* workshop to learn that skill as well.

Beloved parents/guardians, it is no longer news that our country is facing economic decline with limited job opportunities. As a result, many schools are incorporating *SKILL ACQUISITION* into their programs. While some have successfully done so, others are yet to follow suit.

By the time students graduate from secondary school, it is expected that they have acquired multiple *SKILLS* to help them navigate the country's challenges. Failure to acquire skills can lead to becoming a burden to oneself and parents/guardians, making them vulnerable to *CRIMINAL* and *IMMORAL* activities.

👉🏼 To avoid regrets and burdens, I humbly advise parents to enroll their children in *a SKILL ACQUISITION CENTER during this *LONG HOLIDAY*. This way, they can learn the basics of a skill and perfect it during subsequent holidays. Acquiring a skill is better than burdening them with *HOLIDAY LESSONS,* especially after just coming back from the classroom (Third Term). Holiday lessons should be for pupils/students struggling academically.

👉🏼 I am actually a beneficiary of this long holiday skill acquisition. I acquired my *COMPUTER* skills during one of the long holidays while I was still in the early stage of my seminary formation, and I'm grateful for it. The skill helped me throughout my seminary days and still benefits me today 🥰

👉🏼 Please help your child ACQUIRE SKILLS today to ensure happiness and avoid frustration tomorrow 🙏🏼

👉🏼 *Pastors of souls and leaders of associations should kindly encourage their members to consider the above as a PROMISING option in the present Nigerian situation* 🙏🏼

Remain blessed 🙏🏼

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