Student volunteers, members, Professors, Lecturers, teachers, collaborators, partners and friends of the Assumpta Science Center Ofekata – Owerri (ASCO) International Initiative, all over the world prayed the holy Rosary for the successful surgery and quick recovery of Pope Leo XIV, Sunday 11th October 2026. The sudden announcement same Sunday of the health challenge of the Holy Father became the top prayer intention same evening of the October 2026 Online Rosary Prayer meeting, of the Initiative. ASCO member students, lecturers, teachers and collaborators & partners and young volunteers hail Pope Leo XIV as ‘Champion of Faith & Science’, embodying himself the dialogue between science and faith, (being Mathematician and ex-science (Physics) Teacher).
The ASCO October Online Rosary was in keeping with Pope Leo XIV’s appeal to pray the Holy Rosary in October for Peace in the World. ASCO, which fosters collaboration with Africa in the dialogue between science and faith through the activities of informal and hands-on science learning activities of science centers for sustainable development, prayed for this Peace in the world. They prayed for Cessation of Wars and end to Conflicts, also in the Field of Science & Technology. Between religious believers & non-believers, the haves and have nots in it, among scientists, science teachers & student scientists and between scientists & non-scientists.
The different parts of the Rosary that was interlaced with Marian songs, Scripture reading, very rich reflections and commentaries, were led by students, youths, teachers and lecturers from various countries with opening Marian songs led by the students from the African University School of Economics, Abidjan, Riviera Bonoumin, Cote D’Ivoire. coordinated by their University School Registrar Dr. Paschal Koffi Elui and students of Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya, coordinated by their Lecturer, Dr. Jane Wathuta.
The Glorious Mystery of the Rosary was prayed. Students from Ivory Coast led the first Mystery. The second Glorious Mystery was said by Switzerland, the third Glorious Mystery was said by Italy, the fourth Glorious Mystery was said by Nigeria while the fifth Glorious Mystery was said by the United States of America, led by a lecturer from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic University, Florida.
Giving a reflection on the Magnificat of Mary, during the Rosary Prayer Meeting, a member of the ASCO Scientific Committee, Rev. Fr. Dr. Jude C. Ike, called for revolution in favour of the poor like that sang in the Magnificat by Mary to God. A revolution that would lift up the lowly and dethrone the proud, fill the hungry and have-nots with good things. He said this should obtain also in the field of science and technology, calling for a true scientific revolution also in Africa especially in the light of advances in modern science and technology in the digitized world. In the face of these advances, Fr. Ike continued, referencing Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Huma nitas, we shouldn’t remain idle and passive. For this reason, Fr. Ike prayed God to grant the intentions of our hearts in the rosary prayer, especially the speedy recovery of the Holy Father. He thanked everyone for making out time to pray the Rosary with ASCO.
The students, youths and teachers and other volunteers from various countries struck various salient points and messages in their respective reflections and comments during the Online Rosary.
Particularly striking was the reflection from the U.S. on 5th Glorious Mystery, The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth, by Ndubuisi Achuko, a PhD student in Physics and Mathematics at Morgan State University Baltimore, U.S.A. Drawing from Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 World Mission Day message, “One in Christ, United in Mission” and his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, it reminded participants and protagonists in the ASCO Initiative, that their service is a living expression of our faith and a vital contribution to the Church’s mission. This is because, citing Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 Mission Message, ‘evangelization is not only proclaimed in words but also demonstrated through practical acts of love, education, and service to humanity.’
The Church’s mission also involves nurturing young people, forming minds and hearts, and witnessing to Christ through generous service. That is, just like ASCO informal, interactive and hands-on science learning activities do, sowing the seeds of scientific knowledge, creativity, moral responsibility, and faith in the hearts of our young people. The 2026 ASCO Maths Expo, the student commentator said, is a beautiful expression of this mission, bringing science and mathematics closer to young students while demonstrating that faith and scientific inquiry can work together in the search for truth and the betterment of society. He therefore called on all who contribute in the initiative to redouble and persevere in their efforts.
His Italian counterpart, Engr. Francesco Salvadore, reflected on the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles in the birth of the Church in the 3rd Glorious mystery. Drawing from Pope Leo XIV’s Magnificat Humanitas, Engr. Salvadore reminded participants that though technology including artificial intelligence, when used wisely, may help us to some extent, in the various challenges we face such as loneliness, fears, poverty, failures, etc., technology alone, will never be able to SAVE us. The only True Answer we need is the experience of the HOLY SPIRIT in the CHURCH. He prayed that this may be a real experience today and throughout our lives, in various fields including that of Science and Technology.
Nigeria which hosts the main branch of the science center Initiative, reflected on Mary’s Assumption body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life, in the 4th Glorious Mystery. They dwelt on the deep faith, humility, and complete obedience to God of the Blessed Virgin Mary. ASCO volunteer Science Teacher, Mrs. Esogibe who took the reflection, reminded all that Mary’s Assumption is proof that a life devoted in humble service like Mary to God, is never in vain, but will be rewarded within our true home with God in heaven. She prayed that our lives here on earth especially the sacrifices in the ASCO initiative may prepare us for the glory of this home in Heaven.
Addressing participants at the end of the Rosary Prayer, Director of ASCO International Initiative, Rev. Fr. Dr. Tobechi Anyadike appreciated everyone who participated in the Online Rosary Prayer meeting. He recapped on some of the activities of ASCO earlier in the year like the Hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Learning Online Training Workshop for Teachers in Africa anchored by ASCO Partners Liceo Scientifico ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ from Gallarate near Milan in March 2026. Fr. Anyadike reported that the Workshop was successful. He also mentioned the ASCO Itinerant & Interactive Maths EXPO (on Mathematics in Africa, the 1st phase of which commenced on the 10th of June, 2026 to the 15th of July, 2026. Fr. Anyadike informed participants that the Maths Expo 1st phase was highly successful beyond expectations, adding that the sponsors of the Maths EXPO from Switzerland were happy that it offered stimulating experience for mathematics and science to young people in Africa.
He said ASCO, apart from the Block- Rosary Science Quiz Competition for Block-Rosary children, and Christmas Science Lecture, is also currently working on Educating Hearts and Minds person-centered clinical science and public health education network. The network being prepared by a network of partner Catholic Universities mainly in the U.S.A., Rotary Club in Florida, U.S.A., and Members of ASCO Scientific Committee, proposes to form students, educators, health professionals, scientists, and community leaders who unite scientific excellence with compassion, laboratory evidence with clinical wisdom, and public health action with human dignity. That is, in line with the teachings of Pope Leo XIV in his Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, on the responsible use of technology and artificial intelligence. The later may support learning, health literacy, information verification, data analysis, research, and evaluation. However, technology must not replace empathy, human relationships, informed consent, privacy, professional judgment, moral responsibility, or meaningful community participation.
It would be recalled that the Assumpta Science Centre Ofekata – Owerri (ASCO) lnternational Initiative of Science Centers for collaboration with Africa in informal and hands-on science learning activities for the dialogue between science and religious faith and sustainable development, was founded in 2005–2006 by and under the patronage of the then Vatican Pontifical Council for Culture— (now called the Dicastery for Culture and Education).
It was launched by the Dicastery then as the fourth phase of the STOQ (Science, Technology, and Ontological Questions) project, dedicated to the dialogue between science and faith. That is, a phase focused on informal, interactive, and hands-on (concrete and practical) science learning activities.
The former Vatican Pontifical Council for Culture promoted the ASCO initiative in collaboration with other institutions like the La Sapienza University of Rome, the U.S.-based African Scientific Institute (ASI), and the Liceo Scientifico ‘Leonardo Vinci’ in Gallarate (Milan). Including the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (FMSTI)), with whom the Vatican signed and is implementing a M.O.U (Memorandum of Understanding) of collaboration in the Initiative for Africa.
It is run primarily by the nonprofit association: Association for “Assumpta Science Center Ofekata – Owerri” (ASCO), which executes the Accords on the Initiative in the name of the Holy See. ASCO is registered as NGO in Nigeria, Italy and Switzerland.
