- Confirms over 500 candidates
- Commissions new parish hall at St. Cyprian, OkoOba, Agege
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged Catholics to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit and live lives of holiness in their daily endeavours. Archbishop Martins gave this charge penultimate Sunday while administering the Sacrament of Confirmation on over 500 candidates at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos. “You are now full members of the Church. By this sacrament, you have become adults in the Church, regardless of your age. The gift of the Holy Spirit now empowers you to be close to Jesus and to become soldiers of Christ,” he said.
The Archbishop reminded the faithful that the Apostles and Saints also received the same Holy Spirit, but distinguished themselves by allowing the Spirit to transform their lives. He therefore challenged the confirmands and indeed all Catholics to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit as referenced in Galatians 5:22, by witnessing to Christ, preaching the Gospel, pursuing holiness of life, and defending their Catholic faith. “Don’t join others in condemning the Church.
If you cannot provide answers to questions posed to you, ask your priest,” he admonished. “Above all, study the Word of God. If you don’t read the Bible or learn the sacred traditions and teachings of the Church, how then can you defend what you don’t know?” he queried. Addressing the youths in particular, Archbishop Martins encouraged them to use social media positively by deploying available platforms to spread the Word of God. Citing Jeremiah 38:4–6, 8–10, he recalled how the prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a pit for speaking the truth about the ungodly practices of his time, but was saved at the point of death. “If we bear witness to the truth, we have the assurance that God will come to our rescue,” he stressed.
Re-echoing the slogan, “Agege leads, others follow,” the Archbishop described the twin events—the confirmation of a large number of candidates and the commissioning of the parish’s ultra-modern hall— as a testament to the spiritual and physical growth of Agege Deanery. “This is the day the Lord has made, and we are glad indeed,” he said. Before officially opening the hall, Archbishop Martins also presented the Archbishop’s Football Tournament Cup, organised by LACMON, to the Dean of Agege Deanery. Agege emerged winners of the maiden edition of the competition, drawing cheers from the mammoth crowd that filled the church.
The event also featured thanksgiving by individuals, societies, and organisations who came to welcome the Archbishop to the parish. The Mass was concelebrated by the Dean of Agege Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ngene, and the Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Fasuyi, who assisted the Archbishop in distributing the Oil of Chrism to the candidates. The celebration was attended by members of the Religious, candidates, parents, and well-wishers from neighbouring parishes.
