…Confirms over 700 Catechumens
Over 700 Catechumens have been asked to show evidence of their new life in Christ, and effect of the gifts of the Holy Spirit they have received, through their conduct, speech, love, faith and purity. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, while delivering the homily during the Confirmation ceremony of students of Catholic Mission Secondary Schools, Archdiocese of Lagos, held recently at St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, Lagos. Archbishop Martins informed the newly confirmed that the presence of the Holy Spirit will only be manifest when they exhibit a new life, as he directed them to two passages in the scriptures, 1 Timothy 4:12 and Ecclesiastes 12:1, that would inspire them to live the new life of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon them.
He said: “Let no one despise you because you are young, but set an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. That is to say to you today, if your classmates, if your schoolmates are going to be aware that you have received the Holy Spirit today, then show it in your conduct, in your speech, in your love, in your faith and in purity. “There’s a way that people will speak and you’ll be wondering, did they receive any training at all? That is not to happen among you. When you speak, speak with respect, speak with dignity, speak in such a way that people will know that it is not just you that is speaking, it is the spirit of the Lord that is speaking through you.”
The Archbishop urged them to be well behaved because they are not just anybody anymore, but persons that the spirit of the Lord is living in, and therefore it should affect their conduct. He asked them to love and look out for the welfare of one another, and eschew bad conducts, including bullying, cheating in exams, among others. According to him, “If people are talking about any bad conduct, it will not be found among you. That is the way by which you will show that the spirit of the Lord is working in you; in your faith, in your purity. “What St. Paul is saying to you today is this. Do not allow yourself to be disrespected simply because you are young. When you behave well, when you speak well, when you carry yourself well, nobody will disrespect you because you have a maturity that can come only because the spirit of the Lord has been given to you.
That maturity is what you must show, so that your conduct, your way of life does not stand as a barrier for people to respect you, even though you are young.” Reflecting on Ecclesiastes 12:1, the Archbishop urged the young ones to serve God in their youth, when they are strong, active, and have all the energy, adding that having received the spirit, they have become adults in the faith. Very Rev. Fr. Ayeni, the host Administrator thanked the Archbishop, priests, religious, and parents, rejoicing with the newly confirmed, for the great feat they have achieved. He urged them to keep the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in their lives, and ensure they use it to evangelise by bearing witness with every word, thought and deed of theirs, living as the spirit directs.
…Asks young people to propagate Christ
By Pedro Martins
Over 700 pupils of the Archdiocesan Catholic Secondary Schools in Lagos were appended with the sacrament of Confirmation to deepen their faith and establish their Christian life. The celebration at St. Gregory College Ikoyi, Lagos essentially embolden the young adults for a life of propagating Christ from home or school to wherever they are by their faith and prayer life. The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins laid hands on them to seal the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering them with convictions and courage. “With prayers, reflections and acts of kindness you can support each other by the power that now lives in you”, he said.
The Archbishop emphasised the need to always listen to the little voice, the whispers of the Holy Spirit guiding them towards the path of righteousness, love and justice. The students were accompanied by God Parents, parents, and other family members. The Chief Celebrant and Proprietor of the schools, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins was assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Julius Olaitan, Episcopal Vicar, Lagos Region; Very Rev. Fr. Paul Ijasan, Dean, Lagos Island Deanery, with fourteen other priests.
The Catechumens comprised students from St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi; Holy Child College, Ikoyi; St. Finbarrs College, Akoka; Sacred Heart College, Apapa; Mater Ecclesia College, Epe; Marywood Girls College, Ebute Metta; Kings College, Lagos; St. kizito College, Iju and Maryland Comprehensive College, Ikeja, Lagos.
