Rev. Fr. Gabriel AZEEZ

 

On Thursday, 12 March 2026, under the vast open sky of Oluyoro, Ibadan, the Catholic community gathered in joyful thanksgiving to celebrate seven decades of God’s faithful presence at Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospital. What began in 1956 as a humble seed of mercy planted by the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles has grown, by the grace of God, into a towering tree of healing, compassion, and evangelization. Seventy years of excellence were not merely marked by numbers, but by countless lives touched, wounds healed, and souls drawn closer to Christ through the gentle hands of His servants.

 

The celebration took the form of a Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, fittingly held in the open field adjacent to the hospital. The liturgical colour of white and gold shimmered in the afternoon sun, while the gentle breeze carried the hymns of praise across the grounds rendered by the students and members of staff.

 

The Chief Celebrant of the day was Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade, who presided with dignity and paternal warmth.  He was gracefully flanked by Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Igbekele, the Rector of Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Ibadan and Fr. John Lumene of SMA Community, and also supported by a total of seventeen priests who stood united around the altar of the Lord.

 

The homily was delivered with apostolic fire by Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Eseola, who reminded the entire assembly in words that still echo in our hearts: he says in his words, “All health workers are instruments of evangelization whom Jesus continues to use to touch the sick. Every injection given, every wound dressed, every word of comfort spoken, is Christ Himself reaching out through you. You are not just medical personnel; you are living sacraments of God’s healing love.” His words stirred deep gratitude among doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrative staff, and many faithful who had come to give thanks.

 

After the Eucharistic Prayer and Holy Communion, Very Rev. Fr. Richard gave a moving goodwill message on behalf of His Grace, the Archbishop, Most Rev. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin. With pastoral tenderness, he explained the reason why the Archbishop could not be physically present, assuring every one of the Archbishop’s prayers, blessings, and deep appreciation for the hospital’s seven decades of selfless service to the Archdiocese and the wider Oyo State community.

Sr. Winifred Diagboya OLA anchored the thanksgiving procession while Sr. Vivian Dore, OLA gave a resounding and detailed vote of thanks in appreciating those who have come to grace the occasion.

 

The celebration was more than an anniversary, it was a living encounter with the Risen Lord who still walks among His people, healing and saving through the ministry of Our Lady of Apostles Catholic Hospital.

Lastly, the final blessing was pronounced and the recessional hymn rose heavenward at exactly 12:25pm. May Our Lady of Apostles, Star of the Sea and Health of the Sick, continue to intercede for this noble institution. May the next seventy years and beyond be even more fruitful, more compassionate, and more evangelizing, until the day when the Great Physician Himself welcomes every faithful servant with the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.  Enter into the joy of your Master.” (Mt 25:21)