Why He Has Prayed All 20 Decades of the Rosary for Five Years

NIGERIA, October 23, 2026: Three days into a novena, a man arrived at his rectory with his wife, prostrated himself before him and apologised. The unexpected encounter would lead Nigerian Catholic priest Fr. Justine John Dyikuk to make a commitment that he says he has kept for five years: praying all 20 decades of the Rosary every day for the rest of his life.

The experience took place while Fr. Dyikuk was serving as parish priest of St. Mary’s Jimpi Parish in the Diocese of Bauchi, northeastern Nigeria. He was facing a difficult pastoral situation involving a member of the parish pastoral team who had reportedly opposed and threatened him. Parishioners had also accused the man of involvement in witchcraft and immoral activities.

After his attempts to counsel the man met with resistance, Fr. Dyikuk decided to pray for his conversion. He began celebrating special Eucharistic celebrations accompanied by all 20 decades of the Rosary and novena prayers.

Three days into the novena, the man arrived at the rectory with his wife and apologised for his earlier conduct. Recalling the incident in an interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Dyikuk said the man told him that he and his wife had been unable to sleep and had experienced a bright light and heard a voice warning him to apologise.

“I assumed he had a divine visitation,” Fr. Dyikuk said, reflecting on the encounter.

The experience became a turning point in his spiritual life. From that day, he decided to pray all 20 decades of the Rosary every day for the rest of his life.

“It was from that day that I took the decision that I would say 20 decades of the Rosary every day for the rest of my life. And it is now five years and I have not defaulted,” he said.

What the Daily Rosary Means to Him

Although Fr. Dyikuk had prayed the Rosary daily before the encounter, he said the experience made him more conscious of the devotion and its place in his life.

“I am not in any way insinuating that I am holy; of course, we all aspire to be holy,” he said, expressing gratitude for the spiritual growth he believes the practice has brought him.

He also spoke about the fruits he had experienced since setting aside an hour each day for the devotion.

“I prayed the Rosary daily but I wasn't as conscious of it as I am now. I have seen numerous fruits in my life from the time I started setting aside one hour every day to pray the Rosary,” he said.

For Fr. Dyikuk, the Rosary is not simply a repetition of prayers. He believes the devotion helps restrain the inclination to sin and draws the faithful closer to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

“Praying the Rosary slows down one’s will in committing sin. The Rosary connects you to the mysteries of Christ and through it, Our Lady reminds us to do the will of her son,” he said.

From Personal Commitment to Parish Devotion

The experience also influenced how Fr. Dyikuk encouraged Marian devotion within his parish community. He constructed a grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and encouraged different parish groups to pray the Rosary daily.

His commitment further inspired him to write Me and My Rosary: Theological Insights, Moving Testimonies, a book exploring the theological significance of the Rosary and sharing testimonies associated with the devotion. The book was launched in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 1, 2024.

Through his reflections, Fr. Dyikuk encourages the faithful to look beyond the recitation of prayers and meditate on the mysteries of Christ. These mysteries invite Christians to reflect on the joys and sorrows of life, Christ’s public ministry, His Passion, His Resurrection and the call to follow Him.

The Rosary comprises 20 decades across the Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries. Each offers an opportunity to contemplate a different aspect of the life of Jesus and the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary in salvation history.

For Fr. Dyikuk, what began as a prayer for another person's conversion became a lasting commitment to daily prayer. His testimony reflects how an unexpected pastoral encounter deepened his devotion and encouraged him to share the spiritual significance of the Rosary with others.

Source: EWTN News, reporting on the testimony shared with ACI Africa.