Catholics have been enjoined to participate fully, consciously, and actively in the liturgy, which is the primary way they express their faith and worship God. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, during the 2025 Laity Week celebration and awards presentation, organised by Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council (LALC), held recently at Bethlehem Girls’ College Grounds, Abule-Ado, Festac, Lagos.
Archbishop Martins, ably represented by Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu, Vicar General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, disclosed that the liturgy is the heart of the Catholic faith, as well as the source and summit of spiritual lives through which Catholics encounter Christ, the centre of worship and source of salvation. According to him, the Liturgy is not just a ritual, but an encounter with the living God, which transforms and sends Catholics forth to live as disciples of Christ. The Archbishop urged the people to participate in the liturgy, with reverence, attention and devotion, adding that it is an opportunity to encounter Christ and be transformed by His presence.
Delivering the homily at Mass, Msgr. Aniagwu noted that Catholic liturgy has come under severe attack in recent times from a variety of sources, including ministries and centres set up by priests, religious and lay faithful. According to him, the situation arising from this creates confusion and raises questions in the minds of many Catholics who want to be faithful to the age-old tradition of the Church, adding that in this atmosphere of confusion and doubt, it is absolutely necessary to uphold and promote the liturgy among Catholic faithful.
He commended the awardees, urging them to wear the awards proudly, as he challenged them to do more work for God and the Church. In his address, Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki, Dean, Festac Deanery reminded the laity that they are the very fabric of the Church, and have been called to actively live out their faith in the world through their daily lives, occupation and interaction with others, embracing the vocation to be Christ’s feet and hands in the society, Recalling the heroic story of Rev. Sr. Henrietta Alokha, SSH, deceased Administrator of Bethlehem Girls’ College, who paid the ultimate price by ensuring that none of her students were lost during the explosion that engulfed the school building five years ago, he urged Catholics to standout, as salt of the earth and light of the world.
Also speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Oscar Obi, Director, Lay Apostolate urged Catholics to bring hope to persons going through life challenges, and also continue to uphold and promote the liturgy in their little ways by actively participating in the sacred liturgy with renewed understanding and devotion. For his part, Mr. Julius Ezeifedi LALC President thanked all who have contributed to the growth of LALC, urging them to continue to work together in the journey, as they continue to be pillars wherever they find themselves, including the Church and society at large. The event which had as its theme, “Upholding and promoting the Liturgy among Catholics,” saw awards presented to Priests, Religious and Lay Faithful in the Archdiocese.
