Michael OKEOLA

 

It was a day of profound spiritual renewal, thanksgiving and joyful celebration at St. George Catholic Church, Barracks, Iseyin, as the Catholic Bishop of Oyo Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on 48 candidates and blessed the newly renovated Parish Rectory and newly constructed amenities building.

The celebration brought together clergy, religious, parishioners, family members and well-wishers from within and beyond the Iseyin Deanery, creating an atmosphere of faith, communion and thanksgiving. The Eucharistic celebration was also distinguished by the presence of Very Rev. Fr. Paul Agabo, OSJ, Superior General of the Oblates of St. Joseph, whose presence marked his historic first Sunday Mass at St. George Catholic Church alongside the Bishop. The occasion was particularly significant given the pastoral connection of St. George Catholic Church with the Oblates of St. Joseph within the Diocese of Oyo.

 

Concelebrating with the Bishop and the Superior General were Rev. Fr. Martin Badejo, Dean of the Iseyin Deanery; Rev. Fr. Jeffery Akhalu, OSJ, Parish Priest of St. George Catholic Church; Rev. Fr. Innocent Usual, OSJ, Assistant Parish Priest; Rev. Fr. Anthony-Mary Fasola; Rev. Fr. Audu Gideon; Rev. Fr. Francis Oyegbola; and Rev. Fr. Benedict Joshua, while several religious sisters from different congregations were also present to grace the celebration.

Welcoming the Bishop and the entire gathering, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Jeffery Akhalu, OSJ, expressed gratitude to Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Agabo, OSJ, the concelebrating priests, religious sisters, visiting guests, neighbouring parishioners and the faithful of St. George for their presence and support. Another significant moment came with the formal recognition and renaming of the Ogabokuta Christian Community. Bishop Badejo officially proclaimed the community as St. Elizabeth Community, Ipokun, a decision received with joy and applause by the congregation.

The central focus of the celebration, however, was the Bishop’s homily, which provided the 48 candidates and the entire congregation with a profound reflection on the meaning, responsibility and mission that accompany the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Drawing inspiration from the First Reading, Isaiah 22:19–23, Bishop Badejo emphasized that God’s call always comes with responsibility. He described Confirmation as a “Sacrament of Commitment,” reminding the candidates that receiving the Holy Spirit is not simply a ceremonial event or the completion of a programme of catechesis, but an invitation to a deeper and more conscious Christian life.

The Bishop explained that the Holy Spirit is given to believers to strengthen them, guide them, sanctify them and empower them to become faithful witnesses of Christ. The grace received at Confirmation, he stressed, must therefore translate into a life that reflects the Gospel. The newly confirmed are called to move beyond simply being recipients of the faith to becoming active participants in the mission of the Church, carrying Christ into their homes, schools, workplaces, communities and every environment in which they find themselves.

He further explained that the Holy Spirit works within the human heart, drawing believers closer to God and giving them the courage to remain faithful even in moments of difficulty, temptation and uncertainty. Confirmation, therefore, should not be understood as the end of one’s spiritual formation but as the beginning of a deeper commitment to Christian discipleship. The candidates were encouraged to allow the Spirit they had received to shape their decisions, relationships, character and daily conduct.

Bishop Badejo placed particular emphasis on the importance of prayer in sustaining this commitment. He encouraged the faithful to cultivate a consistent and sincere prayer life, explaining that prayer opens the heart to God and creates room for His grace to work in the believer. He also pointed to Sacred Scripture as a source of divine light and direction, encouraging Catholics to allow the Word of God to illuminate their hearts and guide their choices. The Bishop equally highlighted the Holy Rosary as an important spiritual weapon, urging the faithful to remain devoted to this prayer and to seek the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Bishop spoke extensively on the Christian family, stressing that the faith must be nurtured within the home. Reiterating the familiar saying, “A family that prays together stays together,” he reminded parents and guardians that the responsibility of forming young people in the faith does not belong exclusively to the Church. Christian homes, he said, must become places where prayer, love, forgiveness, discipline, sacrifice and the teachings of Christ are not merely preached but genuinely lived.

He further reminded the congregation that genuine discipleship involves the willingness to carry one’s daily cross. To follow Christ, he explained, is to embrace a life of perseverance, sacrifice and obedience to God. Christian commitment cannot be based solely on moments of joy or religious celebration; it must remain firm even when faith becomes demanding. The gifts of the Holy Spirit must consequently produce fruits of holiness, service, patience, courage and love in the lives of those who receive them.

Turning his attention particularly to the young people, Bishop Badejo gave a strong charge to the newly confirmed candidates, reminding them that their age does not prevent them from making a meaningful contribution to the mission of the Church. He declared that “young people, you are not too young to impact the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit,” emphasizing that the youth are called to become evangelizers within their generation. He urged them to use their talents, energy, creativity and influence positively, becoming witnesses who do not merely profess the Gospel with their lips but demonstrate it through their lives.

The Bishop’s message presented Confirmation as both a divine gift and a sacred responsibility. The Holy Spirit gives the believer grace, but that grace calls for a response. God strengthens His people, but they must willingly choose to stand firm in faith. The newly confirmed were therefore encouraged to discover and develop the gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives and to use those gifts in the service of God, the Church and humanity.

Following the homily, the Rite of Confirmation was administered on the 48 candidates. Through the laying on of hands and anointing with Holy Chrism, the candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation and were strengthened for a deeper participation in the life and mission of the Church.

The joy of the celebration was also reflected in the testimonies of some of the newly confirmed candidates in an interview after the celebration.

At the conclusion of the Mass, Rev. Sr. Ruth Omopebi, Head Matron of Our Lady Catholic Hospital, delivered the vote of thanks, returning glory to God for the successful celebration and expressing appreciation to Bishop Badejo, Very Rev. Fr. Paul Agabo, OSJ, the concelebrating priests, religious sisters, benefactors, organizers and the entire parish community whose contributions made the celebration possible. The Parish Pastoral Council Chairman also expressed gratitude to the guests and parishioners for their continued commitment to the growth and development of St. George Catholic Church.

 

Immediately after the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Badejo, accompanied by the clergy and members of the parish community, proceeded to the newly renovated Parish Rectory and the newly constructed amenities building, where he officially blessed and dedicated the facilities. The projects were received as another significant testimony to the commitment, generosity and collaborative efforts of the parish community towards improving the pastoral and material infrastructure of St. George Catholic Church.

 

The celebration concluded in an atmosphere of joy and thanksgiving, with refreshments, group photographs and fellowship among the clergy, religious, newly confirmed candidates, parishioners, families and guests.