July 8, 2025
News Nigeria

PRIESTS IN EKITI DIOCESE END LENTEN RETREAT

THE EFFECT OF THE SACRAMENTS

The Catholic Diocese of Ekiti had her Annual Priests’ Lenten Retreat at the Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre, Ikere Ekiti, from 20th Sunday to 25th Friday of March, 2022. The Retreat, a period of deep reflection and personal recollection on the Mission entrusted to God’s servants in participation and administration of the sacraments of the Church was facilitated by the Emeritus Archbishop of Abuja Archdiocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan. The theme for this soul lifting exercise was “The Sacraments of the Church and it effects on the life of the Priest”.

The environment was indeed serene and highly conducive for recollection. The hours of enlightenment started on the eve of Sunday 20th March, 2022 with an introduction to keep hope alive no matter the anxieties of life and to leave the troubles of life to a place of transfiguration as this is so worth it. There were in depth reflections on: Baptism: The Mission Statement, Confirmation, The Eucharist, The Sacrament of Reconciliation, Matrimony, Holy Orders, Extreme Unction and finally on the Blessed Virgin Mary. This was not without some rib-cracking episodes that kept minds elated. Added to these spiritual exercises were the Stations of the Cross and the Penitential Service.

In all, it was emphasized that we do not forget that the greatest day of our life should be the day of our baptism, it is what fuses us to God. As Priests, we should never relent in making new converts for baptism. We are also to impress on p arents the seriousness of the duty to assist their pastors to lead their Children into the sacrament of baptism right from infancy. It should be a striking reminder to Christ’s faithful that they have access to the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Confirmation. More so, it is pertinent to acknowledge duly that the Eucharist reflects distinctively in the celebration of the Mass as the greatest mystery of our faith. The Eucharist is the real presence of Christ, a sacrifice and puts us in communion. Again, we all need to be saved. To make this possible, there must be conscious cooperation with the Spirit of God, to successively repent and express believe in the gospel through the sacrament of reconciliation. Furthermore, after the gift of life, what follows should be the gifts of Marriage and family. The pastoral care of the parish and family is a principal duty of the Priest, who shares in the priesthood of Jesus Christ; chosen among men. In all we do, we should not forget the last things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell as we consistently solicit for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It was a grace filled exercise and we are grateful to God for its success.

 

Leave feedback about this

  • Quality
  • Price
  • Service

PROS

+
Add Field

CONS

+
Add Field
Choose Image
Choose Video