By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode celebrates the World Day of the Sick with the Bishop on Tuesday 21st March  2023 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Esure. The program began with the Holy mass at 10:00am which has in attendance the Bishop; Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina, Fr. Christopher Ogunnupebi; Diocesan Health Director, Fr. Andison Anyanwu, Fr. Albert Osunlaja, Fr. Anthony Abdulahi, Fr. Emmanuel Nwafor and Fr. Emmanuel Okusanya. Also at the Mass were all health workers in all the health facilities owned by the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode. Many parishioners of the parish also attended the Mass with their Parish priest and Assistant Parish priest..

The homilist at the Mass, Fr. Andison Anyanwu traced the history of World Day of the Sick as established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1992 in memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. He said we need to help the sick to build their faith to the point where Jesus can enter into them to raise them. He also said we must strive to avoid sin which is also the root of human illness so that when we are healed, more terrible things would not happen to us.

The Bishop at the Mass prayed for the sick and laid hands on them to bring restoration into good health.

The Bishop in his remarks said “I want to thank specially the Health Department for organizing this 31st World Day of the Sick here in St. Albert Clinic, Esure in Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Parish, Esure. The Holy Father invites us to reflect on the Gospel passage, the story of the Good Samaritan and help each other as children of one parent. Let us not allow the politicians turn us against each other. Remember after election we shall be left to ourselves. Let us stop quarrelling and think more of helping one another.” The Bishop said “God will not focus much on what we have done wrongly but will look so much into what we ought to do and refused to do. God knows us individually.” Charging the congregation to cater for the sick he said, “You are all healthy in the name of Jesus but there are people who are so sick and love to be here. This celebration is not complete for us until after the Mass we visit the sick and share a prayer with them. This Mass is not solely about you who is healthy. Take the grace of this Mass to them because that is the mission you have from this Mass.”

Considering the plan of the same celebration in the following year, the Bishop said “by next year, we shall celebrate the World Day of the Sick in St. Mary Eye Hospital, Ago-Iwoye after we must have opened the newly built chapel there.”

The bishop at the Mass gave award of recognition to assiduous health workers in the Diocese

After the Mass there was a gathering where the discussion on the mission of the church for the sick was further shared and deepened. It was a very colourful celebration as all participants were happy to carry out the mission entrusted to them by the Church through the Bishop.