I welcome you to the month of February, 2021, a month rich in liturgical activities and spiritual memorials. Beginning with the Feast of the Presentation (February 2), the Church calls us to re-dedicate ourselves to God, presenting our dreams, hopes and fears to Him and making sacrificial offerings of our lives in service of the Gospel. She further presents us with the lives of the following saints as spiritual guides in the course of this month:
• St. Blaise (February 3)
• St. Agatha (February 5)
• St. Paul Miki & Companions (February 6)
• St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhita (February 8)
• St. Scholastica (February 10)
• Our Lady of Lourdes (February 11)
• Sts. Cyril and Methodius (February 14)
• Seven Founders of the Orders of Servites (February 17)
• St. Peter Damian (February 21)
• And the Chair of St. Peter (February 22). As we celebrate the memorial of these Saints, may the fire of Divine love be rekindled in our hearts, that we may love the Lord as they did. The month of February is also the month that leads us into the special season of Lent, a season in which we are called to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. With Ash Wednesday (17th February, 2021) the Church ushers us all into the solemn Season of Lent when we experience the profound call to repentance and spiritual renewal.
• Most. Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
