By Charles Igwe
The Faithspiration Initiative is set to host the 2026 edition of its annual Ave Maria Praise on Monday, September 7, at Ss John and Paul Catholic Parish, Iba Pope, Awada, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The celebration, organised to honour the Blessed Virgin Mary and mark her birthday on September 8, is themed “Fill the Jars: Make Room for Fresh Wine.” The theme is drawn from John 2:1–11, the account of the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into wine.
The event will feature a line-up of gospel music ministers and entertainers, including Ada Zion IJ, Sis. Chidimma (Ide Mama), Sis. Chioma Ezefete, Blessed Modesta, Kenz Music, Papilo Sax, Sir One on One and Onu Ndi Aguata.
The programme will have Fr. Aloysius Agba as host, while the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke, will serve as the Chief Host.
Organisers said this year’s celebration is expected to bring together Christians, families, young people and lovers of gospel music for praise, worship, prayer and spiritual renewal.
The choice of the Cana story as the basis for the theme places the Blessed Virgin Mary at the centre of the spiritual message of the celebration. In the Gospel account, Mary notices that the wedding feast has run out of wine and brings the situation to Jesus before instructing the servants to do whatever He tells them.
According to the organisers, the theme is therefore a call to participants to make room for God’s grace and renewal in their lives.
Ave Maria Praise has become an annual Marian celebration of the Faithspiration Initiative. The 2025 edition was also held at Ss John and Paul Parish, Iba Pope, Awada, with gospel artistes including Ada Zion and Sis. Chioma Ezefete among those who ministered at the event.
Faithspiration said the 2026 edition will build on last year’s gathering, which organisers described as having produced testimonies and life-transforming encounters. They are consequently expecting this year’s programme to be bigger and more impactful.
The initiative’s recent activities have also combined evangelisation with social engagement and empowerment. In January 2026, its Night of Praise and Empowerment in Awka-Etiti featured gospel music, preaching and comedy alongside an empowerment programme that saw 50 beneficiaries receive a combined ₦50 million.
However, unlike that programme, Ave Maria Praise is specifically centred on Marian devotion, praise and worship as the Church prepares to celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Faithspiration Initiative has invited Christians, families and gospel music lovers across Anambra State and beyond to attend the September 7 celebration and join in the prayer to “Fill the Jars” and “Make Room for Fresh Wine.”
