By Okakpu Bartholomew
It was a joyful and spiritually uplifting moment as members of the Order of the Holy Wounds of Jesus gathered to mark their annual feast. The atmosphere was filled with joy, devotion, and a deep sense of unity as the faithful came together in large numbers, offering prayers, songs of praise, and heartfelt thanksgiving. The celebration reflected not only a moment of remembrance but also a renewal of faith and commitment among members of the community.
The solemn celebration began with a Holy Mass, where the congregation participated actively, creating an atmosphere of reverence and spiritual connection. The occasion also served as an opportunity for members to reconnect, strengthen their bond as one family, and deepen their understanding of the devotion to the wounds of Christ.
At the Mass, Fr Joseph Ekesiobi delivered a powerful and inspiring homily centered on healing, faith, and transformation through Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on the Gospel of the healing of the man born blind, the priest urged the faithful to examine their lives and recognize areas of “blindness”—such as sin, pride, unbelief, and spiritual weakness—and to bring them before Christ. He emphasized that Jesus is always ready to heal and restore anyone who approaches Him with sincerity and an open heart.
Fr. Ekesiobi further warned against imitating those who rejected Christ, stressing the importance of being spiritually disposed to receive God’s grace. He encouraged Christians to embrace their calling as the light of the world, explaining that just as light dispels darkness, believers are called to remove darkness from their surroundings by living upright and Christ-centered lives.
Speaking on the devotion to the Holy Wounds, he described Christ as the “Wounded Healer,” whose suffering brings healing and salvation to humanity. He called on the faithful to go beyond words and prayers by living lives of sacrifice, love, and total commitment, offering consolation to Christ especially in a world filled with sin and indifference.
In a separate interview, Brother Lawrence Maria Ezeuko explained that the gathering marks the annual celebration of the Feast of the Wounds of Christ, observed every March 15. He described it as a special moment for members to honor and appreciate the suffering of Jesus Christ as a united body and community within the Order of the Holy Wounds of Jesus in the Onitsha Archdiocese.
He noted that the association is a spiritual family made up of consecrated members, associate members, and brothers and sisters who dedicate their lives through vows of poverty and obedience while living as a secular institute. Despite being quiet in nature, he emphasized that the group is active and welcoming, embracing both married and consecrated individuals.
Highlighting the importance of the program, Brother Lawrence stated that it aims to create awareness about the association and encourage more people to understand and appreciate the suffering of Christ. He stressed the need for more faithful to join in consoling the Lord, especially in a time when moral challenges and societal problems continue to increase.
He further explained that members gather weekly in prayer, beginning every Thursday at 11:00 a.m., spiritually accompanying Christ from Gethsemane to Calvary, and continuing on Fridays until the hour of His death. According to him, this devotion helps members remain spiritually conscious of Christ’s sacrifice and strengthens their personal relationship with Him.
On unity among members, he described the congregation as a loving and supportive family built on prayer, charity, and mutual care. Members, he said, support one another both spiritually and materially, showing concern for each other’s well-being and standing together in times of need.
The celebration concluded with a renewed call for commitment among members and the faithful to remain steadfast in their devotion, to live as true witnesses of Christ, and to spread His light and love in their homes, communities, and the wider society.
