On the bright sunny morning of Saturday, the 3rd of May 2025@ St Thomas Aquinas Secondary school chapel; a spirit-filled and carefully rehearsed beautiful award ceremony took place after the celebration of Holy Mass. This was the 2nd edition of the MYSTICAL ROSE AWARD. The award ceremony was for 144 ladies of the Accra East Grand Ladies’ Auxiliary (AEGLA). This is the women’s wing of a charitable society in the Catholic Church known as Knights of Saint John International (KSJI). This group is officially known as Ladies’ Auxilliary Knights of Saint John International (LAKSJI).This well-structured and disciplined group in the Catholic Church is a pseudo- military group with the Blessed mother of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ; the ever Blessed Virgin Mary as the role model Due to the semi- military status of the group, the awardees turned out in impeccable cream uniforms with either a white and blue ;yellow and blue ;or white, blue and yellow larnyards to indicate ranks. They also had black comfortable shoes with white gloves and socks to match. This investiture ceremony was to recognise and honour candidates who have diligentily sacrificed and served Mother Church, the Order and the community for a minimum of ten(10) years but less than twenty (20) years. The MYSTICAL ROSE AWARD is in honour of the Mother of God and the accolade “MYSTICAL ROSE” is one of the many titles ascribed to her. The award included a silver breastpin medallion ( with the inscription mystical rose) on a short blue and white ribbon to be worn on military uniform at turn out. A beautiful picture frame of Mother Mary (ROSA MYSTICA in latin) was presented to awardees as well.
The picture frame had the MYSTICAL ROSE prayer beautifully typed on it as well. In addition to the length of years faithfully done in the group, another requirement to enable one to receive the award was the presentation of a research paper, as well as fulfilling financial obligations to the Church. In attendance were presidents of the various respective auxillaries as well as superior officers of the Supreme Subordinate, Grand and Districts. Notable among these were Noble Sister Eugenia Ekua Enimayew Supreme Subordinate 2nd vice president and Noble Sister Emma Ethel Asomani Supreme Subordinate first vice president.
Noble Sister Margaret Plamer- Buckle the Grand president ;and other Grand Officers were also present. There were a number of priests present for the celebration .Tin celebrant was Reverend Father Jonas Abaifar Dong- Purye; assistant chaplain of Saihe mant Thomas Aquinas SHS, Reverend Father Georgia Appau headmaster of the school as well as Very Reverend Father John Benyah MensahIn his homily, Reverend father Jonas admonished the lady Knights to continue to emulate the virtues of Mother Mary. The virtues of purity and humility should embellish the awardees ; and these qualities should be light that shines out to the whole world.After the ceremony there was sheer excitement among the awardees as they congratulated themselves and took pictures with officers as well as other members of the respective Auxillaries who had come to lend their moral support to Sisters. Interestingly, pictures were also taken at the grotto .
The name of this grotto happens to be MYSTICAL ROSE just as the awards. Coincidentally ,this grotto was also built by a lady knight ! The level of contentment is expressed by two(2) awardees : Mavis.A.A.Ekpe and Virginia Vera Hamenoo. “Receiving this award is a testament to the incredible support and opportunities I have been given in the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Knights of Saint John International “ -Mavis. A.A. Ekpe ;# 340, Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, Tema. “Receiving this award is truly humbling and I am immensely thankful for the recognition “Virginia Vera Hamenoo. # 722, St.Joseph the Worker parish, Community eight (8) Tema.
