Diocesan Eucharistic Congress: Osogbo stands still as Catholics pray for Nigeria
Written by TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Catholics cross Osun State and its environs on Friday stormed Osogbo, capital of the state to pray for peace, security and total wellness of Nigeria.
The faithful and their priests from all the parishes and Mass centres that make up the four denearies of the diocese had assembled at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oke-Fia where the celebration kicked-off with Divine Mercy prayer at exactly 3pm on Friday.
The Catholics faithful, both old and young, priests and religious from Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa and Otan-Ayegbaju denearies, gathered for the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress organised by the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo with the theme: All My Springs Are In You (Psalm 87:7).
At Oke-Fia parish, NEWS BOOM reports that there were praises and worship and adoration before the bishop of the diocese, Most Rev John Oyejola, addressed the multitude of Christians who besieged the Church auditorium and its premises.
The Chief Shepherd of the diocese urged the faithful to take advantage of the celebration to pray for peace, unity, security and progress of the country.
Bishop Oyejola asked the Catholic faithful to see their participation at the congress as a privilege to adore Christ during procession and also renew their dedication to the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
He said, “my dear brothers and sisters, it’s a privilege that we are going to journey and Jesus is going to lead us. We need Jesus. Let’s come to Jesus often. You need him more than ever before. We Catholics are so privileged.”
Earlier in his homily, Rev Fr Anthony Omodunbi called on the people of God to renew their hope in God and trust that Jesus is really present in the Blessed Sacrament.
He said they should not lose hope in God and keep on trusting in God that the situation of the country would soon change for good notwithstanding the present challenges.
Fr Omodunbi said, “Let’s not doubt the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Jesus is always present with us and we should not lose hope and faith in God. There is nothing God can’t do. In whatever we are passing through, let’s be hopeful that he will come to our aid and answer our prayers. For those who have already believed that Nigeria is a hopeless state, I want to is to know that there is still hope in Nigeria. God can still transform Nigeria if we believe.”
After the programmes at Oke-Fia, the Eucharistic Procession commenced as Catholics prayed, sang and danced through streets of Osogbo.
At strategic locations, the priests and faithful would pause and prayed for various intentions ranging from peace, security, progress and healing among others.
NEWS BOOM observed that residents, motorists, bike men, and pedestrians shifted their attention to the processing congregants who were armed with their rosaries and adoring the Holy Eucharist that was displayed by priests in turn.
The procession terminated at the St Benedict Cathedral, Popo, Osogbo around 7pm before intercessory rosary was led by the religious.
NEWS BOOM reports that as at the time of filing this report, the faithful were having a short break in preparation for the vigil.
During the vigil, NEWS BOOM gathered that programmes such as Penitential Service, Thematic Teaching, Deepening the Faith, Healing Service, Blessing of Religious Articles, Anointing with Oil, Sharing of Testimony and Holy Mass will be featured.
