Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL;
- THE MONTH OF MARCH: Welcome to the month of March 2024, a month in which we continue our Lenten observances and the deepening our relationship with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. It is also a month that leads us into the special season of Easter which is preceded by the celebration of the passion and death of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. As well as the events of the mystery of our salvation: Palm Sunday (March 24th), Holy Thursday (March 28th), Good Friday (March 29th), Holy Saturday (March 30th), and Easter Sunday (March 31st), we also celebrate the important feast of St. Joseph (March 19th)
- POPE’S INTENTION FOR March 2024: For the New Martyrs: That those who risk their lives for the Gospel in various parts of the world inflame the Church with their courage and missionary enthusiasm.…….. We pray O Lord
- ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR March 2024: FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE: We pray for victims of violence that they may be comforted in their sufferings. May God shed His light upon them and give them peace, solace and succour …….. We pray O Lord.
- A FEW THOUGHTS ON LENT: As we begin the season of lent, may I remind everyone of the following practices regarding the season:
a. Abstinence: All the faithful who have reached 14 years of age and above are required to abstain totally from meat or favourite dish or drink on Ash Wednesday (February 14) and Good Friday (March 29) and all the Fridays of Lent.
b. Fasting: All the faithful between the ages of 18 and 60 years are obliged to fast. In practice, fasting involves limiting oneself to a single full meal or two smaller meals a day. The sick, pregnant women or nursing mothers or those whose health would be adversely affected by fasting should not consider themselves bound by this norm.
c. Parents and teachers are responsible for helping young persons, who are not bound by the norms regarding fasting and abstinence to recognize the genuine sense of penance and self-denial. We are required to also pray fervently for catechumens who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during this period.
Please find below some of the other ways we can observe this period of Lent so as to benefit from the graces of the season:
i. Avoid Sin: Keep yourself away from all occasions that could lead to sin. Repent and return to God by a good sacramental confession and do appropriate penance if you fall into sin.
ii. Practice self-control; be more generous especially in giving to the poor and needy and in contributing to the works of the church, remission of debts and payment of just wages.
iii. Pursue and achieve reconciliation with anyone with whom you are not at peace.
iv. Read the Scriptures in order to deepen your intimacy with God, spread the kingdom of Christ and help others to know and return to Christ.
v. Pray before the Blessed Sacrament, go to Mass often, if possible, daily, taking time to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.
vi. Be regular at the stations of the cross on Wednesdays and Fridays and do it every day if you can.
vii. Take part in the Lenten programmes and retreats that will be organized in your parish. Take full part in the Holy week ceremonies.
viii. Pray your Rosary daily. Bear in mind that all other Fridays of the year remain Days of penance in prayerful remembrance of the passion of Jesus Christ.
- LENTEN REFLECTIONS BY THE ARCHBISHOP: As has been the case in the last few years, the Archbishop, Alfred Adewale Martins will be offering Lenten reflections every day during the whole season. The reflections will be transmitted as follows: NTA CHANNEL 10: DSTV Channel 369 @ 6:55pm LUMEN CHRISTI: DSTV Channel 350 @ 1:00pm & 9:15pm RADIO: Metro 97.7FM @ 5:55am & 9:15pm. All our Social Media Platforms: Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram: Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. Everyone is encouraged to tune in and listen to the reflections as we pray that the Word of God will nourish our souls. Amen.
- CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF NIGERIA (CBCN) COMMUNIQUE 2024: The Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria concluded her first plenary meeting of the year 2024 on the 22nd February, 2024. After deliberations on the theme: “Synod on Synodality: Areas of Concern for the Church in Nigeria”, a communiqué was issued. Some key details from the communiqué are as follows:
- Synodality is an expression of the nature of the Church as communion and it expresses the need for the Church to journey together with the Deposit of Faith, without ignoring the signs of the times.
- Following this, the CBCN affirmed her loyalty to the teaching of the Church on the document “Fiducia Supplicans” thereby restating that priests are not to bless same-sex couples (or other couples in irregular situations such as those of polygamists, and the divorce and remarried) in Nigeria as homosexual acts are acts of grave depravity and contrary to natural law.
- Also, the Catholic Bishops expressed their solidarity with Nigerians on the current state of insecurity and harsh economic conditions. To resolve these issues, social cohesion and good governance should be promoted with firm hope in God and making efforts towards national repentance.
- Finally, there is a need to immerse ourselves into the demands of the season of Lent regarding prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
For a fuller grasp of the contents of the communiqué, kindly download it from the link: https://www.nigeriacatholicnetwork.com/cbcn-communique-first-2024-plenary/
- MASS OF THE CHRISM 2024: This will take place on Tuesday 26th March and Thursday 28th March, 2024. Venues: Catholic Church of the Nativity, Festac Town and Holy Cross Cathedral respectively, Time: 9:00am. In preparation for the 2024 Chrism Mass, all Parish Priests and Priests-in-Charge are required to pay the sum of N50,000.00 to their respective Deans who are in turn to remit the money as a Deanery to the Planning Committees.
- FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF ABULE-ADO EXPLOSION: The fourth anniversary of anniversary of Abule-Ado Explosion comes up on 15th March, 2024. All priests are expected to celebrate Masses for the happy repose of the souls of the victims of the explosion.
- CYON Archdiocesan Youth Day (AYD) 2024: The 38th Annual Archdiocesan Youth Day (AYD) would take place on the 11th August, 2024. It will be hosted by Isolo Deanery. It will feature: The Holy Mass, Talent and Vendor Exhibition, Networking and lots more. The official unveiling of the 38th annual Archdiocesan Youth Day’s Logo will take place on Thursday 21st March, 2024 at Holy Cross Cathedral Hall. For more information and sponsorship contact: 09134745088, 08090821736, 08100867070 or visit the website http://www.cyonadelagos.org/ for registration and further information. Payment Details: Fidelity Bank PLC– Catholic Youth Organisation (Others) Nigeria Cyon Archdiocese of Lagos, 5700130915.
- APPLICATION FOR ANTHONY CARDINAL OKOGIE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP: We wish to inform all interested applicants that the application form for the Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation Scholarship can be obtained from the Archdiocesan Website. Applicants are requested to click on this link: http://www.lagosachdiocese.org/down/g4.pdf to download the forms, fill and submit them to the Chancery.