Mary AGALA

A total of 141 Lay Readers drawn from various parishes across the Archdiocese of Ibadan were commissioned on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Lade, Ibadan.

 

The commissioning ceremony took place during a solemn Holy Mass presided over by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ibadan, Most Rev. Gabriel 'Leke' Abegunrin. The Eucharistic celebration commenced at 9:00 a.m. and was attended by the Archdiocesan Lectors’ Chaplain, who is also the Parish priest of the host Parish, Rev. Fr. Felix Ethapemi, Candidates with some of their family members, and parishioners of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Lady.

In his homily, Archbishop Abegunrin congratulated the newly commissioned Lay Readers and reminded them that proclaiming the Word of God is both a privilege and a sacred responsibility. He urged them to approach their ministry with reverence, dedication, and a deep sense of commitment to Christ and His Church.

 

The Archbishop further admonished the new Lay Readers to become authentic agents of the Holy Spirit, stressing that whenever they proclaim the Scriptures, they do so in the name of Christ. He encouraged them to carry out their ministry with excellence and diligence, emphasizing that every service rendered to God should be done wholeheartedly and to the best of one's ability.

 

He also called on the faithful to pray fervently for peace and security in Nigeria and for the release of all those currently held captive by their abductors.

 

The commissioning marks a significant milestone in the lives of the newly admitted Lay Readers, who are now entrusted with the important ministry of proclaiming the Word of God during liturgical celebrations. The event was a memorable occasion for the Archdiocese of Ibadan and a reaffirmation of the vital role of the laity in the life of the Church.