“A spiritual treasure”: Reviewers on Nigerian Catholic Priest's Book Promoting Rosary Devotion

Fr. Justine Dyikuk at the June 1 launch of his book 'Me and my Rosary' in Glasgow, Scotland. Credit: Fr. Justine Dyikuk

The book is one of the ways in which the member of Clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Bauchi in Nigeria has been promoting devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

Fr. Dyikuk found the inspiration to promote devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary while he served as Parish Priest of St. Mary's Jimpi Parish of Bauchi Diocese in Northeastern Nigeria. Here, the Nigerian Catholic Priest witnessed the conversion of a man, who had allegedly been engaged in what parishioners described as “immoral activities'' and witchcraft.

In the book, the doctoral student in Journalism, Media and Communication at the University of Strathclyde Glasgow in the UK also provides testimonies of victims of Islamist attacks, who said they escaped death by praying the Holy Rosary.

Also, in the nine-chapter book is the testimony of Bishop Doeme, whose Episcopal See used to be the epicentre of Boko Haram attacks. Bishop Doeme is a renowned visionary who, in his encounter with Jesus Christ, is said to have been given a message that Boko Haram would be dislodged through praying the Holy Rosary. 

According to Bishop Doeme, Fr. Dyikuk’s book provides a guide for what the world needs to do amid challenges such as insurgency.

Credit: Fr. Justine Dyikuk

Describing the book as “a spiritual treasure to everyone”, Bishop Doeme adds, “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 roadmap 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 dedicated our Diocese while urging all to pray the Rosary in season and out of season.”

“It is heartwarming that he (Fr. Dyikuk) recounted my encounter with Our Lord who gave a message that Boko Haram would be dislodged through praying the Rosary,” the Bishop of Maiduguri since his Episcopal Consecration in August 2009 says.

“I can assure you that with the prayer of the Rosary and other Marian devotions, Boko Haram has really been degraded. As such, I have no reservations in recommending this nine-chapter spiritual treasure to everyone who desires peace, holiness of life, and making heaven. Congratulations, Fr. Dyikuk on this great feat,” he says in the note shared with ACI Africa on June 24.

Other UK-based readers, who have provided reviews of Fr. Dyikuk’s book say the book offers the reader an original and sensitive approach to the understanding and celebration of the Holy Rosary.

“I have read Fr. Justine’s book. It is enlightening and has originality,” says Fr. Paul Milarvie, the former Rector of Pontifical Scots College, and Parish Priest of St. Ninian's Catholic Church, Knightswood of Glasgow Archdiocese.

The book, he adds, “gently reminds the reader of Mary’s unique place in the history of the Church as she accompanies the Church homeward to its final destination, the Kingdom of God.”

According to Fr. Milarvie, Fr. Dyiku has “carefully blended deep theological reflection with a warm pastoral touch.”

“As we journey through the respective mysteries of the rosaries, we too are encouraged to dive deeper into the mysteries of faith.  We are invited to reflect on various places of pilgrimage that have drawn many people throughout the world to a renewed faith, healing and reconciliation,” he says.

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And according to Martina Dick, a member of the Legion of Mary in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Fr. Justine’s moving book reveals that the Holy Rosary, aside from Holy Mass, “is the most powerful weapon we have” and “a remedy for all evils.”

The book, the legionary says, “urges us all to do what Our Lady asked the three children of Fatima – to recite the Holy Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world. It details that it was praying the Holy Rosary that brought an end to World War I.”

“The book invites priests to promote the practice of the May and October Devotions in their parishes,” the legionary who belongs to Our Lady, Untier of Knots Praesidium at St. Columba’s Parish of Glasgow Archdiocese further says.

Martina notes that reciting the Holy Rosary after the Sunday morning Eucharistic celebration by families with their children is key. 

Parents too are urged to teach their children how to recite the Holy Rosary daily by promoting the Mission Rosary among schoolchildren, he says, and explains, “A family that prays together stays together.” 

Fr. Dyikuk, Martina says, encourages embarking on annual Marian pilgrimages. “He strongly suggests that there would be a big void in our lives if we did not recite the Rosary daily. As such, I would recommend everyone to get a copy of this book as it gives a wonderful explanation of the Holy Rosary and its power and the relationship that exists between the Holy Mass and the Holy Rosary,” he says.

Credit: Fr. Justine Dyikuk

In his review, Bishop Keenan says that Fr. Dyikuk’s book is written from a devoted heart and is a precious resource for anyone who wants to promote devotion to the Holy Rosary, even among children. 

Bishop Keenan lauds the organization and content of the book with chapters that he says are set out clearly with an overview and explanation of the Holy Rosary in simple terms, and its wider context within the Holy Mass.  

“We hear Fr. Justine’s personal testimony of how the Rosary reunited his family and the experience of his Bishop inviting him to pray the Rosary on a car journey that converted him to the Rosary,” the Catholic Bishop of Paisley says, and describes the book as “a treasure trove” of inspiring anecdotes and moving testimonies.

He goes on to highlight testimonies such as the boy, who converted and grew up to become a Catholic Priest and brought his family to the Faith through the Holy Rosary, as well as the family miraculously saved from Boko Haram through praying the Holy Rosary together. 

In a June 24 interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Dyikuk said the book would “soon be on Amazon”, adding that hundreds of copies have already been purchased in the UK.