As part of its 2025 National Annual General Meeting (AGM), the St. Jude Thaddeus Society of Nigeria undertook a deeply spiritual “Jubilee of Hope” pilgrimage to the St. Jude Thaddeus Shrine in Benin City. The event, which brought together members from dioceses across the country, reached a joyful climax with a courtesy visit to the Metropolitan Archbishop of Benin City, Most Rev. Augustine Obiora Akubeze.
A Shepherd’s Warm Welcome
Archbishop Akubeze received the pilgrims with fatherly joy, expressing gratitude for their prayers and presence in the Archdiocese. He described their spiritual act as one that not only nourishes their faith but also enriches the life of the local Church.
The national president with the archbishop during the courtesy visit
Reflecting personally, he recalled how devotion to St. Jude was deeply woven into his own family’s faith life. “As a seminarian in the 1980s,” he recounted, “my mother always ensured that her offering to St. Jude came before my own pocket money. That devotion has remained with me to this day.”
The Archbishop encouraged the pilgrims to trust in God’s providence for their families, assuring them that “you do not do anything for God without receiving your reward.”
Group photograph of delegates with the Archbishop
The Pilgrimage: Rest, Renewal, and Reconciliation
Rev. Fr. Dominic Mbomson, OP, National Chaplain of the Society, explained that the pilgrimage went beyond being a physical journey—it was above all “an interior spiritual movement.” He underscored that the Jubilee pilgrimage was an invitation to encounter Christ through the intercession of their patron, St. Jude Thaddeus.
He further highlighted three themes guiding the Jubilee Year: Rest, Renewal, and Reconciliation. These, he noted, are rooted in the biblical tradition of Jubilee, a sacred time set apart for spiritual reflection, restoration, and alignment with God’s plan.
The national chaplain, Rev Fr Dominic Mbomson, OP delivering his homily during Mass at the St Jude shrine.
Leadership Reflections and Renewed Commitment
Dr. Godwin Ukel, KSM, National President of the St. Jude Thaddeus Society, offered a profound reflection on the meaning of the AGM and pilgrimage. He described the gathering as not only a moment of review and planning but also a sacred opportunity to deepen the Society’s spiritual identity.
“In a world where many are weighed down by uncertainty, fear, and trials,” Dr. Ukel remarked, “our pilgrimage reminds us that St. Jude, patron of difficult and desperate cases, calls us to be witnesses of hope. Hope is not passive—it is active, expressed in prayer, in charitable works, and in sacrifice for the good of others.”
He urged members to let the Society’s motto—prayer, action, and sacrifice—become more than words, but a daily way of life. “As Christians,” he added, “we are called to be light in dark places, hope in times of despair, and instruments of God’s mercy in our families, parishes, and society.”
Dr. Ukel concluded by affirming that the AGM was a success, not only because of its organizational achievements but because it rekindled faith and strengthened fraternity among members.
The National President, Dr Godwin Ukel, KSM appreciating the Chaplain and members for a successful pilgrimage
Pilgrims of Hope
The immediate past National President, Magistrate Godwin Onah, echoed these sentiments, describing the event as “spirit-filled and rewarding.” He emphasized that participants leave not just as attendees of an AGM but as true Pilgrims of Hope.
“Hope,” he said, “is the virtue that sustains every believer and particularly every devotee of St. Jude. It reminds us that no case is beyond God’s grace, no burden too heavy for His mercy.”
The 2025 AGM and Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage thus stand as a testament to the Society’s mission of strengthening faith, deepening devotion, and inspiring courage in the face of life’s difficulties.