By Fr. Henry Obiagbalasi

The Bishop of Ijebu-Ode Catholic Diocese; Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina and about 80 Priests working in the Diocese gathered between 26^th March and 31st^st of March, 2023 at the Louis  Bautain Retreat Center, Itele, for their annual priestly Lenten retreat. The retreat this year was directed by Rev. Fr. Abel Agbulu of the Vincentian Congregation (CM). It began on Sunday the 26^th of March 2023 with the introductory section, wherefore the retreat director asked the priests to dispose themselves for the outlined spiritual exercises to be done during the course of the retreat including Holy Mass, Liturgy of the Hours, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, meditation and Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Addressing the priest at the second section of the first day of the retreat, the Bishop welcomed the newly ordained priests who were attending the priests’ Lenten retreat for the first time and the other priests who are being integrated into the Presbyterate of Ijebu-Ode Diocese. The Bishop remarked that “A spirit- filled retreat helps us in our retrospection”

The reflections throughout the week from the retreat director were centered on the life of priests in rediscovery of their personal identity in Christ and in their relationship with God and one another. The retreat director having quoted multiple Biblical passages emphasized the fact that the priest is “the” bride of Christ”. Commenting of this, he said that when the people meet the priest, they meet the church. In one of his sessions he said “Your priesthood is more than the work you do. God didn’t call you to just work, he called you to be married to him, you are the Church, the bride of Christ.

The retreat ended on Friday 31^st March 2023 with the blessing proper to the retreatants and the Bishop’s blessings and appreciation.