Truth & Mercy Series - September 20th 2026

Truth and Mercy series (Thanksgiving)

“God, Your ways are holy! What god is so great as God? You are the God who did marvelous things and forced nations to acknowledge Your power, with Your own arm redeeming Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph.” (Psalm 77: 13-15)

Last Saturday, I celebrated in your midst the 13th anniversary of my “resurrection” from the dead after the medical error that resulted in cutting me on the artery that led to my heart. I was celebrating God’s marvelous deeds in the midst of my dear parishioners and friends. The psalmist had said, “What return can I make to Yahweh for all His goodness to me? I will offer a sacrifice of praise to my savior, invoking the Name of Yahweh. I will pay what I vowed to Yahweh; may His whole nation be present” (Psalm 116: 12-14). 

While Jesus had His artery cut by the sword of malice by the centurion, mine was done in error. It is called culpable error when the person who did it was supposed to have the requisite knowledge necessary. So, for a medical doctor, s/he was supposed to have the necessary medical knowledge to perform such “minor” surgeries as appendicectomy. This was not the case in my case. It was turning fatal until Our Lady came to the rescue. I had prayed to Her before going for the surgery. I had requested from Her that I did not want to die, so I can build more grottos for Her. Her intercession is usually swift and immediate. I saw Her and knew but was not sure if She told me anything. It was so heavenly and sweet to be in Her company. It was a great “disappointment” to see myself back in the hospital room. But that was because God heard my prayer through Her. When Mary pleads with God for something, God answers. 

13 years after I was in thanksgiving, but why 13? She was more like the 13th apostle. In a culture more accustomed to avoiding the number 13 as a source of “misfortune” of “bad luck”, She unveils 13 as the true FORTUNE and BLESSING. When we fall into misfortune, we should immediately call Her to rescue us. The greatest misfortune is to fall into sin or be outside of God’s grace. In such a situation Mary comes so swiftly to help us. St. Louis Marie de Montfort has this to say, “If you say the Rosary faithfully until death, I do assure you that, in spite of the gravity of your sins you shall receive a never-fading crown of glory. Even if you are on the brink of damnation, even if you have one foot in hell, even if you have sold your soul to the devil as sorcerers do who practice black magic, and even if you are a heretic as obstinate as a devil, sooner or later you will be converted and will amend your life and will save your soul, if — and mark well what I say — if you say the Holy Rosary devoutly every day until death for the purpose of knowing the truth and obtaining contrition and pardon for your sins.” 

She is greater than any fortune cookie because She delivered the greatest GOODNEWS of all times: Jesus Christ. That was the reason for lifting up the chalice of praise: Holy Mass is the fitting way to PRAISE the Lord and celebrate God’s achievements in my life. Since my surgery last year too, I have noticed God’s amazing ways in suffering and pain. November 26 (13+13), 2025, leading to my 26th priesthood anniversary on May 6. Abigail was born 13 ounces, baptized on February 13, 2026. On May 29, 2025, 13 kids received the Sacraments of Initiation at the last day of School Mass. This was after we had placed the statues of Our Lady of Champion and Saint Philomena in the school to spiritually help the children follow through and their parents as well. You know Saint Philomena was 13 years old when emperor Diocletian killed her. 

In Union of prayers,

Fr. Nicholas Akindele, JCL