St Rita’s Feast: Over 1,000 Catholics Gather To Pray For Nigeria’s Peace

More than 1,000 devotees of Saint Rita of Cascia from different parts of Nigeria converged on Abuja for the 2026 National Feast Celebration of the Pious Union, united in prayers for peace, stability and reconciliation in the country.

The four-day celebration, held under the theme, “Cultivating Peace, Faith and Hope: Emulating Saint Rita’s Virtues,” attracted Catholic devotees from places including Port Harcourt and Warri, with many travelling in groups and buses to attend the annual national gathering.
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Mrs Idowu Jokpeyibo, attributed the successful hosting of the feast to months of preparation and the collective efforts of devotees, benefactors, benefactresses and other stakeholders.

Jokpeyibo said the gathering offered devotees an opportunity to reflect on the life and virtues of Saint Rita while praying for peace and stability in Nigeria.

She added that although the liturgical feast of Saint Rita is celebrated on May 22, the national feast is held annually to bring devotees from across the country together and renew their commitment to peace, faith, hope, forgiveness and charity.

The message of forgiveness and reconciliation featured prominently at the celebration, with the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, His Grace Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, urging Nigerians to reject vengeance, hatred and division and embrace peace and forgiveness as essential ingredients for national development. Kaigama delivered the message through the National Chaplain of the Pious Union, Rev. Fr Richard Igyor, who represented him at the event.

The priest said the virtues of Saint Rita, particularly forgiveness, perseverance, faith, charity and commitment to peace, remained relevant to Nigeria amid insecurity, political tensions and social divisions.

The Prior General of the Pious Union of Saint Rita of Cascia, Nigeria, Mrs Cecilia Oyakhire, described women as important agents of nation-building and urged them to promote peace, love and care in their families and communities.

“Women are nation builders. Women are supposed to have a soft heart, to always make peace, show love and care,” she said, urging mothers to raise children with strong moral and spiritual values.

The national grand patron of the Pious Union and former Auditor-General of the Federation, Dr Ukura Samuel, urged political and other leaders to embrace forgiveness, fairness and selfless service, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.

“If the politicians imitate the life of Saint Rita, you will see Nigeria will be a better place to live,” he said.

Also speaking, the Abuja Archdiocesan Coordinator of the Pious Union, Bro Celestine Makwe, called on Nigerians to work collectively towards building a society where peaceful coexistence, forgiveness and mutual understanding thrive.

He warned against vengeance, enmity and animosity, saying, “We must strive to build a nation where peaceful coexistence and forgiveness thrive. We should not allow a spirit of vengeance, enmity or animosity to exist among us because these attitudes can only divide the country and hinder development.”