Oyo Diocese celebrates Eucharistic Congress and Marian Pilgrimage

– Felicia Babajide

The entire Clergy and Lay faithful of Oyo Diocese in the bid to celebrate the annual Marian Pilgrimage this year had it in conjunction with the Eucharistic Congress at the Diocesan level on Saturday, 10th December, 2022.

The programme which featured Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Bible service, Procession, Penitential and Healing service, Catechesis and Holy Mass was held at the various deaneries; Oyo, Ogbomoso, Ijio, Iseyin and Saki deanery in place of the gathering at the Diocesan level which was suspended due to the insecurity in the country.

The Chief Shepherd, Most Rev. Emmanuel Badejo while speaking on the Theme: REJOICE IN HOPE…BE CONSTANT IN PRAYER (Romans 12:12) established the fact that the programme was a double prayerful celebration which in turn would bring many blessings, a time for everyone to pray and celebrate together around Jesus Christ, the food of life and Mary his mother as they had gathered to rejoice in hope and to be constant in prayer.

Speaking further he said, everyone must keep growing spiritually and that the Eucharistic Congress should remind them all that everyone is basically pilgrims on this earth on the way to heaven as no one  enjoys permanent citizenship status here on earth. The Eucharistic Congress he said, reassures the mankind that Jesus Christ has given Himself to man as food for the soul and salvation of mankind and the best companion on life’s journey.” He’s the food for our salvation. He said: “Anyone who does eat my flesh and drink my blood has eternal life, and I shall raise that person up on the last day” (Jn. 6:54). His is a permanent offer.” Bishop added.

As Mary is being honoured through the Marian Pilgrimage, he reiterated the fact that Mother Mary is the Tabernacle of the Eucharist being the first and only woman to carry Jesus for 9 months and looked after him as a baby. For this reason, he said, as Jesus Christ is being adored, His mother should be honoured too. “If you honour the mother, you honour the son too and if you despise the mother, you insult the son as well…Therefore, Take Mary into your home Because Jesus Said So. In order to be complete therefore as a Christian, take Mary into your home. See her as your mother and be her child and live a life worthy of her child. Only then can Jesus see that all things are complete in you like he did with John the disciple. You will never regret the experience. You will become a model for others..” The Bishop further stated.

Very Rev. Fr Boniface Wuraola, the Dean of Oyo Deanery during the course of the Catechesis on the Holy Eucharist with the theme: BECOMING THE EUCHARIST WE CELEBRATE…A CALL TO LIVE AS ONE AND TO SERVE THE WEAK relayed how important the Holy Eucharist is especially to Catholics because it is the source and summit of Christian Life. A true Catholic he said, must believe in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the only and key sustenance. He also made it known that Christ did not just give His body and blood for the sake of consumption but to effect positive changes in the world, to bring others to God and to become another Jesus unto others.

Very Rev. Fr Peter Agboola, the Cathedral Administrator during the service of the word of God took the congregation through series of ways on how to rejoice in hope and how best it is to pray because it is a key to the emotional and spiritual well being of every Christian. He therefore encouraged everyone who have made it down to the pilgrimage to allow their hope to be ignited. As Christians also, he endeared them to be patient in hope, humble and obey God’s words while praying for resilience which is the capacity not to reach the elastic limit when the going gets tough.

The entire lay faithful and clergy of Oyo Deanery amidst joy, songs, dance and youthful exuberance, all journeyed through the town of Akinmoorin in a procession with the Marian Icon from St. Rita to St. Andrew’s Akinmoorin. Getting into the Church, the people were allowed to reconcile with God in the Sacrament of Penance after which they were annoited with the Holy oil. Prayer intentions were burnt and instrumental display by the Students of St. Cecilia Music Training Centre led by Mr George Olanipekun.

The Bishop, towards the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria, advised the congregation to remember to stick with the truth when choosing leaders, to choose and vote according to their conscience so that they will be justified before God. “Remember that to buy votes and to sell votes is to commit a crime against the State and commit a sin before God. Do your civic duty, come out and vote. Pray that God will bless our effort and save Nigeria. If you do all this you will live well here on earth and gain favour before God in heaven”, the Bishop added.