Theme: “Lessons from the Jubilee Year of Hope: Application of Dilexit te in the CSN”
Date: 6th January, 2026
By: Roseline Idoko
The spiritual retreat of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria (CSN), and other agencies of the Catholic Bishops Conference commenced on Tuesday, 6th January, 2026, with participants gathering in an atmosphere of reverence, anticipation, and spiritual readiness. The retreat anchored on the theme “Lessons from the Jubilee Year of Hope: Application of Dilexit te in the CSN,” was directed by Most Rev. Gerald Musa, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina.
The day began with the arrival of participants, followed by the solemn celebration of Lauds (Morning Prayer). Through the prayers of the Church, participants entrusted the retreat into God’s hands, seeking for grace, renewal, and openness of heart as they embarked on this sacred journey of reflection.
The first session of the retreat began with a talk delivered by the retreat director, Bishop Gerald Musa. He emphasized the importance of personal retreat and interior renewal, noting that genuine service in the Church must flow from a deep and personal encounter with God. He reminded participants that “personal retreat is very important,” stressing that without deliberate moments of withdrawal and prayer, spiritual life becomes weakened.
Reflecting on God’s boundless love, Bishop Musa observed that “if we truly realize the depth of God’s love for us, we will know that we do not love Him enough.” He challenged participants to examine their response to God’s love and to grow in deeper commitment, humility, and gratitude. He further cautioned that “when we search for God in the wrong places, our souls will continue to be dry,” urging participants to seek God authentically through prayer, the sacraments, and sincere devotion rather than distractions or misplaced priorities.
An engaging question and answer session followed, during which participants interacted freely with the retreat director, gaining clarity and practical insight into the spiritual themes presented.
Participants were then led into a quiet period of “Alone with God,” allowing time for personal prayer, reflection, and interior dialogue with the Lord. This was followed by a Thanksgiving of Songs, through which participants expressed joy and gratitude to God in worship.
The spiritual atmosphere deepened with moments of penitential prayers, consultations, Eucharistic Exposition, the Holy Rosary, and Benediction. These devotions provided opportunities for repentance, reconciliation, and renewed devotion to the Eucharistic presence of Christ.
A time of meditation prepared hearts for the celebration of the Holy Mass, which served as spiritual climax of the morning. In the Eucharistic celebration, participants were spiritually nourished and united in faith, hope, and love.
After the Holy Mass, participants observed lunch and a short break, offering time for rest, fellowship, and quiet reflection.
The afternoon session resumed with the recitation of Divine Mercy Prayer, invoking God’s mercy upon the Church, the nation, and the world. This prayerful moment set the tone for the second session of the retreat talk by Bishop Gerald Musa.
In the second session, the retreat director addressed practical challenges within the CSN, particularly focusing on internal competition among departments. He cautioned against unhealthy rivalry and emphasized the need to replace competition with collaboration, reminding participants that unity and mutual support are essential for effective service in the Church. He stressed that the work of the Church should never be reduced to personal or departmental interests.
Bishop Musa further warned that “in doing the work of the Lord, we should not forget the Lord of the work,” urging participants to remain spiritually grounded and Christ-centered in all their duties and responsibilities. This message resonated strongly with the retreat theme, calling participants to allow love, hope, and service to guide their work within the CSN.
The day concluded with question and answer session, during which participants reflected more deeply on the teachings and explored ways to apply them practically in their respective offices and ministries.
Finally, the first day of the retreat was deeply enriching and spiritually transformative. It set a strong foundation for the days ahead, calling participants to personal renewal, deeper love for God, collaborative service, and faithful application of the message of ‘Dilexit te’ in advancing the mission of the Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria.
