Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

Barely few days to the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, St. Kizito Catholic Church, Oluyole, Ibadan on Sunday 21st December, 2025 recruited thirty-eight new soldiers at a Confirmation Mass officiated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Dr. Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin.

The Parish Priest, who is also the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, Very Rev. Fr. Gregory Oluwasanmi Oyelami who concelebrated the Mass with the Archbishop welcomed the Chief Celebrant; even as he described His Grace’s presence at the Mass as a miracle. The Vicar General appreciated the Archbishop for making it to the celebration in spite of his tight schedule and after the liturgy of the words presented the thirty-eight candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation to the Archbishop; who also graciously received the candidates for the administration of the sacrament.

The Archbishop in his homily expressed his happiness when he discovered upon enquiry that most of the candidates for confirmation are already working for Christ in one capacity or the other. Nevertheless, His Grace tasked them to do more for Christ and for the faith by continually defending the Catholic faith through rendering services in the Church.

The Chief Celebrant also encouraged the candidates to be ready to read some books concerning the Church’s faith; even the Holy Bible. Those books according to the Archbishop are very much available at St. Paul’s Bookshop opposite St. Mary Catholic Cathedral, Oke-Padi at small prices.

The Chief Shepherd of Ibadan Archdiocese admonished all to embrace the faithfulness and obedience of Joseph, the foster father of Christ as read in the day’s Gospel not only in the Church, but also in the families. “If a family is always quarrelling, the children will not grow to know peace. If husband and wife do not trust each other, how do they live in peace?” his Grace asked.

The Archbishop added that he was happy to have the Confirmation at St. Kizito parish to conclude this year’s advent season and congratulated the candidates.

The homily was followed by the general renewal of baptismal promises by the entire congregation after which His Grace, supported by the Vicar General and the Candidates’ Sponsors in the laying-on of hands and the anointing of the candidates with oil by the Archbishop. The newly confirmed, with joy and happiness later had a thanksgiving in appreciation of the newly received sacrament; supported by their Sponsors, parents, friends and the entire parishioners.

The Parish Priest during vote of thanks appreciated His Grace, the Sponsors, teachers of the faith and the parents of the newly confirmed; promising to update the parish’s history that on 21st December, 2025, His Grace was in the parish to confirm 38 candidates, during the Jubilee Year of Hope.

In his closing remarks, the Archbishop enjoined all parishes in the Archdiocese to support the children. He also appealed that those that have vacant positions should approach their parish priests or come to his office, so that the young ones that just finished their National Youth Service can have something doing.

His Grace appreciated all the functionaries in the parish, the parish priest and the parishioners and further appealed to the parishioners to support the parish on many projects at hand. He later took photographs with the newly confirmed on the Sanctuary before the recessional procession and was also patient enough to take photographs with the newly confirmed and their parents one after the other, outside the Church.