25/08/2026
CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BAUCHI CANONICALLY ERECTS MISSIONARIES OF OUR LADY OF TEARS OF SIRACUSA AS AN ASSOCIATION OF THE FAITHFUL
Most Rev. Dr. Hilary Nanman Dachelem CMF, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Bauchi, Nigeria, on Sunday, 23 August 2026, at the 7am mass celebrated the Canonical Er****on of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa (MOLTOS), Missionari della Madonna delle Lacrime di Siracusa, as a Public Association of the Faithful. The solemn ecclesial celebration took place at St. John the Evangelist Cathedral, Bauchi.
The Holy Mass commenced with the acknowledgement of the Bishop by the Vicar for Pastoral Affairs, Very Rev. Fr. Leonard Lokshiya, who welcomed His Lordship, the Vicar for Administration, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Chukwuka Agbata; the Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Augustine Ada; the Episcopal Vicar, Very Rev. Fr. Hillary Longs; the Assistant Cathedral Administrator, Fr. Barrister Leonard Okonkwo; the priests present, consecrated persons, and the entire People of God.
In his welcome address, the Vicar for Pastoral Affairs expressed joy at the gathering and welcomed the faithful to the significant celebration of the canonical er****on of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa. He thereafter invited the Bishop to continue the celebration of the mass.
BISHOP GIVES THANKS FOR GOD'S GRACE AND HIS EPISCOPAL MINISTRY
Following the Liturgy of the Word, with readings from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, the Letter to the Romans, and the Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the Bishop delivered his homily.
In his homily, Bishop Dachelem thanked God for the grace of the day and welcomed the faithful with gratitude and joy as they gathered around the Table of the Lord.
The Bishop offered particular thanksgiving for the nine years of his episcopal ministry, while also expressing gratitude to God for the grace of the canonical er****on of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa in the Diocese of Bauchi.
He acknowledged the presence and contributions of members of the diocesan clergy and those who had played significant roles in the canonical process. Among those acknowledged were the Vicar for Administration, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Chukwuka Agbata; Vicar for Pastoral Affairs, Very Rev. Fr. Leonard Lokshiya; Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Augustine Ada; Episcopal Vicar, Very Rev. Fr. Hillary Longs; Canonist, Rev. Fr. Dr. Douglas Gaiya (PhD Canon Law), from the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan; his Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Edmund Onye; Director of Social Communication, Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Kamaezeh; Rev. Fr. Michael Joseph; Sr. Dr. Mary Anne Nwiboko, DMMM; Sr. Elizabeth Shikyil, OLF; Sr. Patience, SHCJ; Sr. Comfort James, SHCJ; and Sister Margaret Yakubu.
Reflecting on the day's Gospel, particularly the words, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” the Bishop spoke on the divine authority and providential dimension of the Church's mission.
He emphasized that nothing can be delayed when it is destined by God, noting that human beings cannot fully fathom the plans and wisdom of God.
Drawing from the second reading, he reminded the faithful of the depth and mystery of God's wisdom, stressing that the world belongs to God.
The Bishop also reflected on the spiritual significance of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa, recalling the origin of the devotion and the manifestation of tears from the image associated with the lay faithful in Siracusa in 1953.
He situated the canonical er****on of MOLTOS within the broader mission of the Church, encouraging the faithful to recognize God's providence and to respond faithfully to the call to participate in the apostolic mission of the Church.
Canonical Rite and Commissioning of Aspirants
As part of the celebration, Sr. Dr. Mary Anne Nwiboko, DMMM, the Servant-Guardian of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa, was called upon to address the congregation concerning the association.
The Chancellor, Very Rev. Fr. Stephen Augustine Ada, subsequently read the provisions and requirements relating to the canonical er****on of MOLTOS as a Public Association of the Faithful, presenting the canonical framework governing the association and its mission within the Diocese.
Following the canonical proceedings, the Bishop formally commissioned the aspirants, entrusting them to embrace faithfully the spirituality, charism, responsibilities, and apostolic mission of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa.
The commissioning marked a significant moment in the celebration as the aspirants were formally presented for their commitment to the mission and spirituality of the association.
The Holy Mass thereafter continued with the remaining parts of the Sacred Liturgy.
SR. DR. MARY ANNE EXPLAINS THE MISSION OF MOLTOS
Addressing the congregation, Sr. Dr. Mary Anne Nwiboko, DMMM, the Servant-Guardian of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa, explained the identity and structure of the association.
She noted that MOLTOS has four principal arms: priests preparing for ordination, sisters to be consecrated, lay associates, and priests who are already ordained.
She explained that these four dimensions provide different avenues through which the faithful can participate in and contribute to the spirituality and apostolic mission of the association according to their respective vocations and states of life.
Sr. Dr. Mary Anne also highlighted testimonies connected with the devotion to Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa, including experiences encountered by the Bishop during his treatment in Siracusa. She drew attention to the significance of these experiences and their connection with the spirituality and devotion that underpin the mission of MOLTOS.
Her address further acquainted the congregation with the spiritual heritage of the association and its place within the life and mission of the Church.
Coincidentally, the canonical er****on in Bauchi Diocese providentially tallied with the "73rd Anniversary of the Weeping" of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa in the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa.
VICAR FOR ADMINISTRATION APPRECIATES THE GIFT TO THE DIOCESE
During the announcements, the Vicar for Administration, Very Rev. Fr. Raphael Chukwuka Agbata, welcomed and expressed appreciation to Sr. Dr. Mary Anne Nwiboko, DMMM, for bringing what he described as a new spiritual gift to the Diocese of Bauchi through the establishment and canonical er****on of the Missionaries of Our Lady of the Tears of Siracusa.
He also thanked the priests, consecrated persons, and the entire People of God present for their participation and support in marking the significant ecclesial celebration.
BLESSING WITH THE RELIC OF OUR LADY OF TEARS
Before imparting the final blessing, the Bishop called the congregation to receive a special blessing through the Relic of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa.
The Bishop solemnly blessed the congregation with the sacred relic, invoking the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary upon the People of God gathered for the celebration.
The moment provided a profound spiritual conclusion to the celebration, as the faithful entrusted themselves, the newly canonically erected association, and its apostolate to the maternal care and intercession of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa.
The Holy Mass and the entire celebration of the Canonical Er****on of the Missionaries of Our Lady of Tears of Siracusa as a Public Association of the Faithful came to a close with a group photograph, bringing together the Bishop, clergy, religious, members of MOLTOS, and the lay faithful who participated in the historic ecclesial celebration.
God be Praised!
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