Traditionally, Redemptorists have been known to run shrines throughout the world. The Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Rome (where the original Icon is venerated), The Aparecida Shrine in Brazil, Baclaran Shrine in Thailand and The Shrine of St. Gerard in Limerick, Ireland are but a few popular ones.

Here in Nigeria, the Redemptorists run The National Shrine of our Mother of Perpetual Help. The Shrine sits beautifully in the hilly picturesque village of Ugwogwo-Nike in Enugu State, where, under the care of the Redemptorists, thousands of pilgrims from all over Nigeria congregate at different times of the year, to honor our Lady.

The faithful are taught how to incorporate into their daily lives, the Marian spirituality and discipline. The icon visitation team is resident in the simple community house from where they go out for back-to-back missions and only return to the community after several weeks of being on the road. While some are on the road, others remain at the shrine to foster an atmosphere of ‘perpetual mission’ where masses are offered three times daily amidst adoration of the Blessed sacrament, rosary processions and other devotional activities.

The Shrine of St. Gerard Majella in Oba, Anambra state is also run by the Redemptorists. The Shrine has devotions to the mothers’ Saint throughout the year with the high point being the feast of St. Gerard Majella on October 16th.