This night we lighted one million candles in one million ways. It was a night of gratitudefor God has blessed us. Anight we poured out our heart’s intentions on the altar of a generous and merciful God. A night of Praise Concerts for all faiths and beliefs.
It was Friday, October 9, 2017, andbegan with the Holy Mass – thanksgiving at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Ikorodu, Archdiocese of Lagos.Christians and people of all walks of life attended the event under the pastoral care of Rev. Fr. LivinusOrakwe, cmf.
After the Eucharistic celebration, there were praise and worship presentations from different artists and groups. Thereafter,Rev. Fr. Adolphus Mbaocha, cmf,gave a Talk on ‘The significance of light in the liturgy of the Church’.
The moment arrived for the lighting of candles. It wassolemn and time of prayer for all. Yes! The light of Christ dispels all darkness; it restores hope and assures the faithful of the illumining presence of ChristJesus in our lives and the need to irradiate this divinemanifestation in our environs. The rite recaptures our paschal echo of “Lumen Christi – Deogratias”. For Christians, only Christ lights the way, because, he is the true and sublime light.
Also, led by Fr. Adolphus all prayed together with deep and sincere emotions for various needs. Truly, the Lord was glorified in songs, intercessions, readings, jubilations and religious dances akin to David in 2 Samuel 6:14.
We celebrated the spirit-filled event that gathered all Christians. Such unity of faith comes timely in these most challenging epochs that question and threaten our corporate existence both as human persons and as a country.Terrorism, strict nationalism, domestic violence, socio-political bigotry, religious fanaticism, neo-paganism, administrative fraud, moral decadence and general angst fanned by widespread hunger for justice, fairness and for material food. All those calamities combine to make Nigerians victims devoid of hope. May Christ the Supreme Light kindle in our hearts the benedictions of peace, hope, love and progress Amen!
Light of Christ! Light our way! Light our way as we go!
