HON. (MRS.) ELIZABETH OLAYINKA SONUBI
The National President
Catholic Women Organisation of Nigeria (CWO)
Dear Hon. (Mrs.) Sonubi,
DIRECTIVE ON THE 2026 MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
May the peace of Christ be with you.
1. As you are aware, it is the established practice of the Catholic Church in Nigeria to
celebrate Mother’s Day on the Sunday immediately following the Solemnity of the
Annunciation of the Lord, provided the solemnity does not occur on a Sunday.
2. For the year 2026, the Sunday following the Solemnity of the Annunciation falls on 29
March, which is Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday). Given the solemn and penitential character of this day, it would not be liturgically fitting to observe Mother’s Day at thatn time.
3. Moreover, the following Sunday, 5 April 2026, is Easter Sunday, the Solemnity of the
Resurrection of the Lord, and the First Sunday after Easter, 12 April 2026, is Divine
Mercy Sunday. Both celebrations, by reason of their particular liturgical character,
should retain their exclusive focus.
4. In view of the foregoing, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria,
Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, has directed that the 2026 Mother’s Day in the
Catholic Church in Nigeria be observed on Sunday, 19 April 2026, and that it be
celebrated uniformly across the nation.
Kindly communicate this to all Provincial and Diocesan CWO Presidents across Nigeria.
Thank you for your devoted service to the Church and for your steadfast commitment to the spiritual growth of Catholic women in Nigeria.Fraternally yours in Domino,
2026 MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION. ( click here to download the document)
