By Veronica Idowu

He says this as he preached at the 2023 Chrism Mass on 5th April, 2023, at St. Sebastian Catholic Cathedral, Ijebu-Ode. At this Mass, the Catholic Priests who serve within the Diocese of Ijebu- Ode, the Religious and Lay Faithful joined the Bishop, Most Rev Francis Obafemi Adesina to celebrate the gift of the Catholic Priesthood as the priests renew their Priestly commitments to God, and as the Bishop blesses the three important oils in the Church: oil of catechumen, oil for the sick, and Chrism oil for use till the following year

The Bishop, Most Rev Francis Obafemi Adesina who preached at the celebration expressed his joy and happiness as he appreciates the Priests who have embraced the Priesthood and have come together to renew their Priestly commitments to God and the Church. Consequently, he urged them to embrace the three characteristics of a good shepherd. He said “a good shepherd gives lives to the sheep, a good shepherd knows his sheep and his sheep knows him, and a good shepherd lay down his life for his sheep— that is, he is at the service of his people.”

More so, quoting the pope he says that the Church needs more priests who smell like the sheep”, in addition he says the Church needs priests who are pastoral leaders who know when to be at the front and Priests who know when to be by side to comfort their people. Thus, he prayed that each of them will grow daily in the Priestly commitments to God.

Addressing the people of God, Most Rev. Francis Adesina implored that they live the Christian calling to holiness in the world, especially in our society today as the elections are over. He urged the people to prudently and generously follow the process of healing Nigeria and allow the judiciary to do their work as regards the petitions raised from the 25^th February elections. Consequently, he says that no one should shed more blood as the nation is bleeding already, therefore we need spiritual healing of our nation. He encouraged them to continue to pass on the Catholic faith where ever they find themselves. “Like Priest and Religious you must aspire to become saints, our society today needs saints who are not in cassocks, saints who would go to the cinema, saints who would go to the market place and yet remain saints. If we have more saints of such in Nigeria, our society would become better for us.” Bishop Adesina added.

After the homily, the Priests gathered round the Bishop to renew their commitments and the oils were blessed and consecrated by the Bishop.