Anthonia OKERE

 

The Ibadan Archdiocesan Board of Lectors held her annual January retreat, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Lasokun. The retreat, which was titled “A Call to Proclaim and Spirituality of a Layreader” took place on Saturday, 17th January, 2026.

Following from what the Church specified, the main objective of the gathering of lectors for retreat is to dedicate time, away from daily life for spiritual growth, renewal and fellowship, involving activities like prayer, Bible study, worship and reflection to deepen one’s relationship with God and community. It is a strategic withdrawal to recharge spiritually, gain clarity, build stronger bonds and get renewed purpose, drawing inspiration from Biblical example like in Jesus’ time in the wilderness.

The participants were taken through a reflective moment by the Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. Johnpaul Aniwodo. He urged the lectors to know that they are ministers of God and are called to serve by God through proclaiming of His word. That our Lord Jesus Christ is our first lay reader who called us to be His disciples, listen to Him first before becoming lectors. Lectors must therefore be obedient to God’s service and must do a proper preparation, physically and spiritually before proclaiming to the public.

The priest further explained that lectors are not just telling stories or making announcement but are proclaiming the word of God, thereby making God present through their voices as instrument used in piercing the hearts of those hearing it. And that Holy Spirit will then work through the words proclaimed by touching and changing people’s lives.                      

  Lectors should always radiate the goodness of God all times and everywhere they find themselves by being humble and honest as a true reverence to God who called them to service, adding that lectors’ watch word should be in Isaiah 6:8 "Here I am, send me." Lectors must prepare their readings prayerfully by passing through the three forms of prayer, which includes vocal, meditation and contemplation, thereby allowing the Holy Spirit to use them spiritually before proclaiming to others. And they must hear the word first, digest it before reading to others.

In conclusion, the Priest put these questions before lectors to answer: Do you see reading as a call or duty? How do you prepare before reading? And what does it mean to you that God speaks through you? Lectors, therefore must be in constant prayer and meditation for them to achieve their calling.

Speaking at the retreat, the Archdiocesan Chaplain, Very Rev. Fr. Ethapeme emphasized the importance of retreat and how it reconnects man with the mercy of God through acts of living a good life and doing the right thing as lectors.                                    

At the end of the programme, the Archdiocesan President, Mr Patrick Emerue, thanked the Guest Speaker, Rev. Fr. John Aniwodo, for his wonderful reflection and the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi for the opportunity given to lectors to attend and participate in the retreat in his parish. He extended the same appreciation to all the Priests who came to help during the confession and the receiving of the Holy Communion.  He also appreciated the effort of his fellow Archdiocesan Executives as well as all the Lectors in Ibadan Archdiocese.