St Gerald’s, Gbagada, Lagos, February 02, 2024. The Male and Female Religious actuating zealously in variety of Ministries and Apostolates in the Archdiocese of Lagos, gathered in their hundreds to unwaveringly affirm their vocation and joyfully celebrate the Day of Consecrated Life at St Gerald’s Catholic Church, Gbagada, Archdiocese of Lagos, West of Nigeria.
Traditionally, being the feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple, the Religious Priests, Sisters and Brothers from different Institutes and Congregations, in their diverse and admirable colourful habits and attires, used the opportunity to willingly renew, reconsecrate and rededicate themselves to God in true imitation of their models – Jesus Christ and his holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Having neither a lamb nor a kid, neither a pair of turtle-doves nor young pigeons to present to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, these Religious Men and Women offered themselves – the highest gifts to the Lord.
The 10am Mass started with the customary candle procession, within the peripheries of the Church, after the introductory rites led by the day’s Chief celebrant, Very Revd Fr Jude Anyaehie, CMF (a Claretian Missionary), who is also the Vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese.
With relevant stories, the homilist, VRFr Modestus Ngwu, OP, the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Friars, Province of St Joseph the Worker Nigeria and Ghana, counselled the congregants to be wary of irreligious competitions like worldly people steeped in unhealthy rivalries and undue obstinacy for positions of authority and material acquisitions.
Interestingly, the occasion was graced with some thanksgivings among which was by five Eucharistic Heart Sisters who celebrated their fifty-fifth year in Religious Vows.
The Prayer for Commitment to Consecrated Life was led by the Chief Celebrant, the Vicar for Religious, who officiated at the Eucharist in the absence of Most Revd Alfred Adewale Martins, of the Metropolitan See of Lagos.
After the Mass, all the participants were welcomed by the Parishioners of St Gerald at their reception ground with the opening prayer and remark made by Fr Anyaehie, CMF, the host Parish Priest. They were all treated to a sumptuous lunch and various cultural dances and local comic theatrics.
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! Psalm 133:1.
