A Nigerian priest and doctoral researcher in the United Kingdom has launched a new book on the Rosary in two events which held recently at the Eyre Hall and St. Paul’s Church Hall, 1651Shettleston during the Nigerian Catholic Community Mass in Glasgow, Scotland, UK respectively. The epic 9-chapter book titled “Me and My Rosary: Theological Insights, Moving Testimonies,” presents fascinating theological truths about the Rosary and encourages observing May/October Devotions. It revisits the apparition of Fatima to assure world peace through Mary’s intercession.
In his foreword, the Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Most Rev. Willaim Nolan disclosed that “Fr. Justine’s book delves into the history of the Rosary and unveils the theological truths that the mysteries proclaim. Personal testimonies reveal to us the great spiritual effects that this prayer has had, and how lives have been changed. Archbishop Nolan wished that the book “deepens our devotion to Mary and reassure us of the salvation that Christ has won for us” prayed that “‘Me and My Rosary’ inspires more people to pick up their Rosary beads and pray.” On her part, the book reviewer, Dr. Josephine Smith observed that “The failure to give a theological focus to the Rosary has at times been a deficit element of catechetical endeavour in the past,” congratulated the author “on emphasising this key element in an authentic understanding of the nature of the Rosary.”
While contending that “The book is presented in a coherent and structured manner, and with highly accessible language resulting in a text which can be easily read across the Catholic community and by people of other faiths, and none Catholics who seek to understand the essential nature of the Rosary,” she recommended it to all who desire to live a good spiritual life. In his review, the Catholic Bishop of Paisley Diocese, Scotland, Most. Rev. John Keenan note that “Fr. Justine’s Me and My Rosary is written from a devoted heart and is a precious resource for anyone who wants to promote devotion to the Rosary, even among children.”
In his blurb, Bishop of Maiduguri Diocese and foremost Marian promoter, Most Rev. Oliver Doeme stated that “Amid the current wars in Ukraine and Palestine, our own homegrown Boko Haram insurgency and the seeming obstinacy in sin, Fr. Justine Dyikuk’s book provides a clear road map for what the world needs to do in the prevailing circumstance – A return to Our Lady who is dear to my heart and to whom I have decided our Diocese while urging all to pray the Rosary in season and out of season.” Bishop Doeme underlined that “It is heartwarming that he recounted my encounter with Our Lord who gave a message that Boko Haram would be dislodged through praying the Rosary.
I can assure you that with the prayer of the Rosary and other Marian devotions, Boko Haram has really been degraded” and stressed that “I have no reservations in recommending this …spiritual treasure to everyone who desires peace, holiness of life, and making heaven.” Book committee chair, Helen Border told The Catholic Herald that, “the events were organised to promote praying the Rosary which is dear to Fr. Justine Dyikuk’s heart, mark his 15th priestly ordination anniversary and raise funds to support his final year Ph.D. tuition since he is a self-funded student.”
Dyikuk told The Catholic Herald that the book will soon be on Amazon, emphasising that the book was written to promote 20 decades of the rosary daily by all which he vowed 5 years ago to do after a divine encounter that changed his life for good. Fr. Dyikuk, a priest of Bauchi Diocese, Northeastern-Nigeria, who survived Boko Haram attack in 2011 is a journalist and currently a Ph.D. student at University of Strathclyde Glasgow. His research focuses on outsmarting Boko Haram in the deployment of media as tools for mass destruction. The events featured fund-raising to support the priest’s doctoral studies, cutting of cake, refreshments and signing of autograph.
