Christians have been urged to follow in the footsteps of Christ at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, which empowers them to reject the devil and all forms of devices he used in tempting them. The charge was given by Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel Abegunrin, Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan, during his homily at the confirmation of 41 candidates of St. Theresa Minor Seminary, Oke-Are, Ibadan, Oyo State, held recently at the premises. Archbishop Abegunrin said by virtue of the sacrament of confirmation, the recipients become adults in the faith, and must subsequently live accordingly.
Reflecting on the rich history of Oke-Are Minor Seminary, including the numerous Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and lay men that the institution has produced, the Archbishop congratulated the current generation of Seminarians for sharing in this enviable heritage. The Archbishop admonished Catholics to be good and conscious that the sacrament confers on the soul of the recipient an indelible mark and special character. He said that just as at baptism, the candidates will again receive the Holy Spirit, an empowerment to go into active proclamation of the gospel of Christ just as the apostles did on the day of Pentecost. The Archbishop commended Very Rev. Fr. Christopher Jolaoso, Rector of the seminary for his good works, and for coming up with the celebration of the sacrament of confirmation in the Seminary. For his part, Fr. Christopher Jolaoso thanked the Archbishop for coming to the Seminary to confer the sacrament of confirmation on the confirmands, the first of its kind in recent times.
He appreciated Msgr. Joseph Idowu, Dean of Central Deanery for his presence at the Eucharistic celebration, as well as the sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Adebayo, parents of the newly confirmed and all who made the occasion successful. He advised the recipients of the sacrament of confirmation to nurture and grow in the Spirit they have just received. The 41 newly confirmed seminarians in company of their parents and well-wishers had a special thanksgiving. shortly before the end of Mass for the special grace of the Holy Spirit they have just received.
