THE MOST BLESSED VIRGIN MARY: CAUSE OF OUR JOY By REV FR PETER OGIATOR C.D.A A TALk DELIVERED AT CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ABEOKUTA ANNUAL DIOCESAN MARIAN PILGRIMAGE 2022 INTRODUCTION: HOW IT ALL BEGAN When God created the heaven and Earth, he looked at everything he created and he found it very good ( Gen 1, 2-26), however when Adam sinned and the whole of mankind fell through their mistake, the world became dark and gloom, the world that was created out of physical and temporary darkness, was thrown into a spiritual and more intense and dangerous darkness, the whole world was thrown into confusion, turmoil, disarray, there was hostility between heaven and earth, it was so terrible that the gate of heaven was closed against mankind (Gen 3, 23- 24). There was no hope in sight. Imagine world powers like the United States, United Kingdom, closing its gates against Nigeria, the hardship will unimaginably terrible in every ramification of life. THEN THERE WAS DARKNESS OF SORROW AND HOPELES