"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. ... Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6.35)”

On Sunday, August 4th, 2024, Saint Rita Catholic Church in Olowu-Igangan celebrated a significant milestone for 28 of her members received their First Holy Communion.

The event was the culmination of months of spiritual preparation, catechesis and reflection for these young participants.

The final journey began on Saturday, August 3rd, with a baptismal ceremony, where nine candidates were formally introduced to the Christian faith. This sacrament marked the beginning of their deeper engagement with the Church’s teachings and practices.

Throughout the week (from the 29th of July till the 3rd of August), the candidates engaged in a retreat designed to deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and to prepare them spiritually for the sacrament.

The retreat provided an opportunity for prayer, reflection, and instruction, helping to ground their commitment in a shared experience of faith.

The culmination of their preparation came on Sunday, August 4th, when the 28 candidates were welcomed to the altar to receive their First Holy Communion.

The Mass was a joyful occasion, filled with prayers, hymns, and a sense of community support for the new communicants.

The Mass also featured a homily delivered by the parish priest, Rev. Fr Victor Chika Ugbor, on the theme: “Jesus the Bread of Life,” where he emphasized the need to be in the quest for spiritual nourishment which is typified in Jesus, the Bread of Life, over material nourishment. 

In furtherance, he urged the new communicants to reflect on how well they equally prepare for eternity through the Eucharist which they were about to receive; and, he encouraged them to examine their consciences to ensure they are in the state of grace to receive the sacrament.

Against this backdrop, he ascertained the importance of the Sacraments of Penance in this regard.

Finally, he recommended some prayers of the Psalms, namely: Psalms 77, 90, and 103, as prayers for their spiritual nourishment.

By and large, this celebration not only marked a personal milestone for the young members but also reinforced the communal bonds within the Saint Rita Catholic Church Community, Olowu – Igangan. May God strengthen and increase our faith. Amen.