By Ononye VC
The Knights of St Mulumba,St Francis of Assisi Subcouncil, Onitsha have elevated one of their female members,Lady Justina Chuke to the Second Degree level of the Knights and Ladies of St Mulumba.
Lady Chuke was decorated with her new rank in a colourful and solemn ceremony held at the St Francis Catholic Church,Onitsha Inland Town.
She was vested with a new regalia by the officiating priest,Rev Fr Franklin Onyekwe who was assisted by the Grand Knight of the Subcouncil Sir Donatus Enendu and other senior members of the Subcouncil.
Prior to the event proper,the regalia was blessed and sprinkled with holy water by Rev Fr Onyekwe.
In a remark,the Grand Knight,Sir Donatus Enendu described knighthood as a recognised institution of the church whose members make extraordinary sacrifice to protect the interest of the church, physically and spiritually.
According to him apart from defending the faith and church,the knights are known to deploy their resources in defence and support of the church.
He emphasised that the Catholic knighthood is not a secret society as erroneously perceived by some people but rather discourage catholics from joining secret and occultic societies.
He also said that though knighthood is not a licence to heaven,the members strive to attain heaven by fashioning their lifestyles towards making heaven.
Sir Enendu urged youths of the parish to enrol into the new KSM Junior Cadets which was established by the KSM,Nigeria to catch the young ones towards evangelization by young catholics.
Earlier in his homily,the officiating priest,Rev Fr Franklin Onyekwe,urged christians to live in peace and harmony and forgive people from their transgressions.
He also spoke on sympathy,pointing out that showing sympathy is when we offer help to the less privileged adding that such acts of mercy,regular confessions and reception of the Holy Communion bring the faithful closer to God.