…Confirms 218 candidates
The Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, has said that with God at the centre, married couples could face challenges that come their way with patience, perseverance and tolerance, knowing that their love is anchored in something greater than themselves. Archbishop Martins stated this while delivering the homily at Mass during the group wedding ceremony of 27 couples from Agege Deanery, held recently at St. Cyprian Catholic Church, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos, as part of the week-long activities marking his pastoral visit to Agege Deanery.
The Archbishop described marriage as a long-life relationship between a man and a woman, especially marriages rooted in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, adding that Jesus instituted the Sacrament with the wedding at Canaan. He noted that holy wedlock reflects the love and unity between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5: 22-33). “Just as Christ is faithful to His church, spouses are called to be faithful to one another, adhering to the vows of fidelity, love and loyalty they exchanged before God and His people in the course of the rites and blessings of nuptial Mass.”
The prelate admonished the couples to make Christ the unseen guest, the head of their family by conspicuously displaying His picture in the family home, advising that they look up to Him when the storm of life and hopelessness stares them in the face. “By divine providence, the two of you have decided to come together to love each other”, he added. According to him, “Customs and traditional marriage are not enough, especially as Catholics, to legalise marriage, but by exchange of marital vow before an ordained priest, is to invite Jesus into the family.” Archbishop Martins insisted that marriages be contracted validly, allowing couples to fully participate in Christ’s love for His Church. As he added that this foundation enables them to “build a family that radiates love, faith and service, and champions the path to salvation.”
Quoting St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, he said, “love is patient, love is kind. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always persevere.” In continuation of his pastoral tour, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 218 candidates, all drawn from the 14 parishes that make up the Deanery, at St. Kizito Catholic Church, Iju, Agege, Lagos. Like baptism, which the Sacrament completes, the Catholic Archbishop said, Confirmation imprints upon the soul an indelible spiritual mark-‘the character’ which is the sign that Jesus Christ has marked Christian with the seal of His Spirit, by clothing him or her with power from on high, so that one may be His witness.
He charged them, “as soldiers of Christ, and with the light of Holy Spirit re-enacted today,” should equip them to be worthy instruments of God’s salvation in the world at large. The Archbishop in his remarks, praised the bond, unity and collaboration between the Priests, Religious and Lay faithful as unmatched, and that he would not forget in a hurry the hospitality and warm reception accorded him, even as he visited some Parishes to see things for himself. He congratulated the newly wedded couples and Confirmed candidates, wishing them well. He however emphasised on work ethics, and encouraged all to be punctual at their duty post to boost productivity and growth. Besides, there was also the Laity interactive session with the Archbishop on issues bordering on the faith. Very Rev. Sebastian Ngene, Dean of Agege Deanery, in his vote of thanks, was full of praises for the Priests, the Religious and Lay faithful, who he said joined forces to ensure a hitch free visit by the Archbishop. He extolled the leadership qualities of His Grace, describing him as a true Shepherd of his people in the Archdiocese. High point of the event was the award of prizes to outstanding individuals and Parishes in the Deanery.
….Archbishop commends unity among parishioners at Ritaland
By Paul Adebusuy
Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Archbishop of Lagos has encouraged parishioners at St. Rita Catholic Church, Obadeyi, Agege, to remain united and continue to support their Parish Priest, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Afrifa, in order to take the church to a greater height. The Archbishop stated this during his interaction with the parishioners on arrival for his pastoral visit to the parish. He said he was happy to see the level of cooperation and commitment displayed in the church as demonstrated in the ongoing new church project.
He said, ” I’m happy that there is commitment here. I’m delighted I came; with what I have seen, it is highly commendable. “It is not he who begins work or task that is said to be the worker, but he who completed it. Don’t slack until it (the church building) is completed.” While acknowledging the present economic situation in the country, the Chief Shepherd advised the highly elated parishioners not to allow the situation to dampen their commitment. “St. Rita is in the hands of God, and all of us need to flourish. But what it takes to do that has already started here, this sense of commitment and unity is what I see whenever I come here”, he said. He also seized the opportunity to address issues raised by some parishioners during the interaction.
In his homily, the Archbishop, who concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Afrifa, encouraged the people, who turned out in large number in different organisations and societiesW uniforms, to always have faith in God. He described the Holy Eucharist as the greatest gift of God to the Church. “I encourage you to take the Word of God seriously which is the light of our feet, it is the light of God that will guide us”, he said. He advised that every Catholic should ensure that they receive both the Word of God and the Holy Eucharist, adding that there are Catholics who receive the Word without the Eucharist, or the Eucharist without the Word, because they do not pay attention to the Word. “The two gifts are important if we are to be called true Catholics,” he added. Fr. Afrifa expressed gratitude to the Archbishop for the pastoral visit and commended his parishioners for their support since he arrived the parish.
