Saturday, August 20, 2022 will forever be a memorable and joyous day in the lives of Bartholomew Nnaemeka and Maryjane Ibe as the two got joined in Holy Matrimony on the said day. The wedding ceremony which took place at St. Stephen Catholic Church, Agboju, Lagos saw friends and families, as well as well-wishers converge in their numbers to celebrate with the couple. Delivering his homily at the Mass, Rev. Fr. Chike Osamor said God created human as male and female to continue the work of creation of bringing forth offsprings for the continuation of life. Stating that humans have been given the privilege to share in the power of creation, Fr. Osamor urged the couple to be happy because God is about to begin a journey with them, as He is about to ordain a fruitful union for them. “This is the beginning of a great thing to happen in your life and in the life of your families”, he said. He told the couple to always cast their minds on the event of the wedding feast at Cana, that once Jesus is present in their marriage, they can be assured that they will never run out of the wine of joy, peace, fruitfulness and all that is good in their union.
He urged them to enthrone Jesus and Mother Mary at the centre of their marriage so that every day, God will renew them with Grace and love. Rev. Fr. Anthony Thompson, Parish Priest, St. Stephen Catholic Church, Agboju on behalf of the parish thanked God as he congratulated the couple on their wedding. Acknowledging the over 20 priests who graced the occasion, he urged young Catholic men to open their eyes and chose their wives from the Church instead of going for life partners outside the Church. Disclosing that the Marriage of the Mr. and Mrs. Nnaemeka is a fulfillment of many, Fr. Thompson prayed that their married life will bear fruits of eternal life. In his message, read by Rev. Fr. Raymond Anoliefo, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos stated that the celebration of Holy Matrimony is a very significant experience in the life of new couples, adding that it is a defining moment in couples’ lives. Archbishop Martins congratulated the couple as they begin a new chapter in their lives, as he reminded them that marriage is a covenant of love expressed between a man and a woman just like the love between Christ and the Church.
He said: “Marriage is about keeping that covenant as Jesus Christ does with His bride, the Church. Marriage is also about giving; the giving up of the self to the other.” Expressing his appreciation to all present at the wedding, the excited groom fondly called Batho Automobile disclosed that 28 Priests attended his wedding, as he also received the Papal blessing that came from Pope Francis. He said: “Even the Pope is aware of my wedding. The Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins sent us a congratulatory message that was read during the Mass and the Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina sent a representative to celebrate the Mass. A Wedding Mass that looks like a Priestly Ordination. There’s no better way to describe how I feel. My love tank is filled to the brim. “If you have these Priests around you, your problem in life is half solved because they will support you, encourage you, pray for you, care for you, plan with you and go out of their way even when it’s not convenient, to see you achieve that which you have set to achieve. “These are my priests, fathers, friends, clients, mentors and I love them with everything within me. I have so much respect for these Priests and this won’t stop till the end of the world. Thank you for the show of love, for supporting me, for standing by me.
Thank you for using your resources even when things were tough. “Special thanks to my Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Thompson Anthony CSSR who hosted the priests in a grand style. God bless you Padre. To all my Priests friends, I pray that God will continue to grant you grace of holiness that you may continue to have a pure intention to serve God and may not be attached to material things, but imbibe the spirit of sacrifice needed for the service of God, following the example of Christ as they continue to partake in Christ’s mission”. Priests present at the wedding include; Very Rev. Fr. Jude Ezigbo, Chief Celebrant at the Mass and representative of Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina, Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Melvis Mayaki, among other priests present on the occasion.
