Thanksgiving Mass :Newly Elected Knights, Ladies of St John International Attend Rededication Service

By Felix Oti ,Awka

The Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient and Noble Order of the Knights of St John International, Awka Grand Commandery led by the newly elected Grand Officers and Grand President, Awka Grand Commandery, Brig Gen (Prof) AU Nnonyelu and Noble Lady Oby Nwankwo, the Grand Respected President, Awka Grand Ladies Auxiliary respectively on Sunday attended a special thanksgiving to God for electing them to pilot the affairs of the knighthood in the next four years.

The thanksgiving mass took place at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, even as they were dedicated to the service of God abd humanity.

The Holy mass was presided over by Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor represented by the Knights Spiritual Director, Very Rev Fr Evaristus Iheanacho PhD.

In his homily , he called on the knights of the church and the entire faithful to be the salt of the world and the light of the nation, saying they are the only two ways to be disciple of christ on earth.

According to him, *We will be salt and light of the nation as Solomon asked for wisdom for him to give good judgement . When they give you an opportunity to lead in any capacity, ,you have to ask for wisdom to lead well.

” If you have that wisdom, you are expected to be the salt and when the salt did not perform its role, it will be discarded . You are all expected to give your taste as salt of the world.

“The bible said ,I was in the prison and you visited me, I was hungry and you gave me food, that kind of gesture makes you a salt of the world..

“Do not allow how the world thinks to affect you in discharge of your duties as a Christian because all eyes is on you as a soldier of Christ Let our lifestyle and character be worthy of emulation, he appealed..

The newly elected Grand President, Awka Grand Commandery, Brig Gen (Prof) AU Nnonyelu in his speech, thanked the Bishop for his support and fatherly roles to them, adding that such gesture will always spur them to do more as the defenders of faith.

“What we are doing as soldiers is simple, we are defenders of faith .In all the circumstances, anyone that called himself a knight must stand by the church and anyone that deviates from this believe will be dismissed.

He therefore, called on others to join the knighthood in defence of the faith and preaching of the gospel.

He further noted that he will stand on the already built foundation of the former president.

“That is the reason i used to say that every promise made by them in the past wil not be discarded..We will continue from anyone they were unable to fulfill.

“If you look at the discipline and spirituality of the order, we will finish in due time Note that eyes is on all of us as knights of the church. so we should be careful of what we do . He warned.

Noble Lady Oby Nwankwo, the Grand Respected President, Awka Grand Ladies Auxiliary in her speech appealed for support and asked the members to call the leaders to order when they are going astray and do not forget that the knighthood is autonomous. She stated.

Military Parade immediately after Mass at KSJI premises added colour to the event .

Meanwhile, earlier on ,a workshop for Grand Table Officers, Regiment Table Officers, District Table Officers, Local Commandery Worthy Presidents, Recording/Corresponding Secretaries, Commanders, Treasurers and Financial Secretaries directed by the Supreme Subordinate Board to be held at Grand Commandery venues was successfully organized by Awka Grand Commandery on Saturday 7th February, 2026.

The Resource Persons exhibited admirable wealth of knowledge and experience in the Constitutional provisions, objectives and activities of KSJI.

It was a very enriching workshop and brothers turned up in their numbers and participated actively with high level of interest and enthusiasm.

The Workshop commenced with a Mass celebrated by our Grand Spiritual Director Very Rev Fr Dr Evaristus Ifeanacho. The Workshop which was to prepare newly elected officers at all Echelons of the Order within the Grand Commandery coincided with the first Reading for the day in 1 Kings 3:4-13 wherein Solomon a newly installed King of Israel went to Gibeon to offer sacrifice to the LORD and there prayed for understanding from the LORD to enable him be able to govern.

His great people Israel being only a child. In his homily our GSD implored the new leadership of Awka Grand Commandery to emulate King Solomon and pray God for discerning minds so as to discharge their duties excellently.

All the topics to be treated at the Workshop were brilliantly presented by the Resource Persons. Questions were asked and thoroughly answered. The major highlight was division of the attendees into five Discussion Groups to determine whether there was indiscipline in the Order, Causes and Solutions.

There was tea break and lunch for the attendees. Before closure, the Grand President Awka Grand Commandery Brig Gen (Prof) Au Nnonyelu expressed immense gratitude to our Grand Spiritual Director, the Resource Persons and the Chairman and members of the Planning Committee for a job well done. He also thanked members greatly for attending and participating actively. The Workshop ended in praise to God! Below are some video clips and photos of the event. Noble Col Izu Nwankwo, GS Awka Grand Commandery.