In trying times like ours, one can’t help but wonder where and when we will see divine intervention to help us dispel the growing darkness in the world.
Now, in Nigeria, it appears that just such a thing may have happened:
Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, head of the Diocese of Maiduguri in Nigeria’s Borno State, was in a chapel praying before the Blessed Sacrament last December when, he says, something extraordinary happened: Jesus Christ appeared holding a sword, which He offered to the prelate.
According to Bishop Dashe, the moment he took the sword from Jesus’ hands, it transformed into Rosary beads. He then heard Christ repeat three times, “Boko Haram is gone.”
The bishop recalls, “I didn’t need any prophet to give me the explanation. It was clear that with the Rosary we would be able to expel Boko Haram.”
Boko Haram is the Islamic group that’s been massacring Christian civilians in Nigeria and beyond for several years.
It originally was tied to Al Quaeda, but now formally pledges allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Bishop Doeme says he’s seen the size of his diocese cut in half since Boko Haram started ramping up its violent activity in 2009. Most fled for safer grounds.
“Despite all this,” the Nigerian prelate says, “we do not give up our public witness to our faith.” He affirms, “I wear my episcopal robes publicly, because on the day I agreed to be bishop I knew I was signing my death sentence.”
This is incredible courage. Courage that could transform the Church — and perhaps the world — if more of us (especially our shepherds) had it.
It also shows us, once again that the Holy Rosary of Our Blessed Mother is truly a weapon against evil and sin. Our Lady of Akita warned of great danger to the human race if we did not repent when she appeared in Japan in 1973:
“As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests.”
[…]
“Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the calamities which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved.”
Whether you believe that Bishop Doeme’s vision was authentic or not, the message rings true: pray the Rosary. Trust in our Lady and her Son. And always, when forced to fight evil, remember that it can only truly be done with God’s power, not our own.
As well as praying the Rosary, the prayer to St. Michael is also an effective weapon against the principalities and powers and rulers of this world of darkness.
Holy Michael Archangel, defend us in the day of battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil.-May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down to hell Satan and all wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Have mercy upon us.
Such great courage. Such great faith. Enough to move mountains.
Most uplifting article Steve. In times past nuns and priests would often be seen praying the rosary or wearing it as part of their habit, e.g., the Dominicans. And we all remember that St. Pope Pius V said the winning of battle of Lepanto was due to the rosary. As a result he created a new feast day: Our Lady of Victory which was eventually changed to Our Lady of the Rosary. I kind of like our Lady of Victory better particularly in times such as these when the Church should be much more militant in proclaiming her message. Maybe Pope Francis could see to this. Our Lady would be pleased.
Bishop Doeme’s call inspired me to join with him in praying the Rosary for the defeat of Boko Haram. We urgently need to stop thinking in terms of “pray for peace” and instead pray for victory. And no, this is not a call for a renewed imperialism. Look where that sort of thinking got us in Iraq! Had we stayed out of that unfortunate country, there would today be no ISIS, and probably no civil war in Syria.
But in addition to the Devil, we also have flesh and blood enemies in this world. Lepanto was won with prayer, no doubt about that. But it was also won with galleys and hard fighting.
Your post puts new meaning in the saying, “There can be no Peace without Justice”. While an individual might ethically decide to be a pacifist, –it is morally wrong to refuse to support the active defense of unarmed civilians being slaughtered by terrorists.