By Fr. Anthony Adetayo

The Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode witnessed a vibrant celebration of the Chrism Mass on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, at St Sebastian Catholic Cathedral. The 10:00 am Mass brought together a large congregation of priests, religious men and women, and lay faithful, all united in commemorating the ministerial priesthood and the blessing of holy oils.

The atmosphere within the cathedral was one of deep reverence and joy as the community gathered. The central focus of the Chrism Mass lies in the renewal of priestly vows, with all the priests present reaffirming their commitment to their vocation, pledging their allegiance and obedience to the Bishop. This powerful moment underscored the unity and solidarity within the presbyterate of the Ijebu-Ode Diocese.

The Bishop of the Diocese; Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina presided over the Mass and delivered an insightful homily. His message resonated with the congregation, emphasizing the crucial role of the laity in supporting their priests and religious in their pastoral duties as shepherds of the flock. He called for a stronger bond of collaboration and mutual encouragement within the diocese. Speaking to the Priests, the Bishop said “I have come to know without any doubt that authentic Catholic Pastoral Leadership happens in the midst of the people of God, not outside it. We, priests, must know, love and serve the people of God entrusted to our pastoral care. The people of God on their part also must know and love their priests. As Priests, we must be ready like Jesus to give our best and all for the salvation of souls. Priests must recognize that they are servants of the people of God and not their master. As priests, we serve the flock of Christ by knowing, caring and teaching the faith without any compromise.”

The Bishop sang the praises of the Priests “I say thank you for your enduring ministry! Thank you for not giving up on account of hardships of mission you face daily! Thank you for nurturing the Catholic faith in your Churches, Parishes, Deaneries and in the three Pastoral Regions of Ijebu-Ode Diocese! Thank you for serving your parishioners joyfully and with pastoral zeal attending to matters concerning their spiritual and social wellbeing! I thank you for the work of pastoral expansions going on in our Diocese. I thank you for the spiritual and moral formation of children, youth and adults in our diocese! Thank you for caring for the elderly, the sick and the home bound. I thank you for preaching the word of God and celebrating the Holy Eucharist for the people. Thank you for using the print and social media platforms for spreading the Catholic Faith and the activities of the diocese. I thank you for sustaining and growing our health and educational facilities across the diocese! I am very proud of the efforts each and everyone of you are making in your assignments. Thanks for your enduring collaboration and co-responsibility with me, your unworthy servant and Bishop. May the Lord continue to strengthen our bond of unity and commitment to the service of our people in love, Amen.”

A significant part of the Chrism Mass is the solemn blessing of the holy oils. The Bishop consecrated the Chrism oil, which will be used for anointing in Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. He also blessed the oil of the sick, intended for the healing and comfort of the infirm, and the oil of catechumens, used to prepare those entering the Catholic Church through baptism. These blessed oils symbolize the grace and healing power of God active within the community. The Bishop embraced with kindness each Priest on the sanctuary as a sign of love and unity.

Following the solemn liturgy, the priests danced to the altar in heartfelt thanksgiving, expressing their gratitude for their vocation and the support of the faithful. The celebration continued with a brief reception held for all the priests and religious. During this gathering, the members of CAEAN entertained the audience with a thrilling performance of the story of the Garden of Eden. As a token of his gratitude, the Bishop presented each priest with a Holy Bible, a symbol of their guiding scripture and a source of spiritual nourishment.

The Chrism Mass in the Catholic Diocese of Ijebu-Ode served as a powerful reminder of the sacred role of the priesthood and the importance of unity and mutual support within the Church community. The blessings bestowed upon the holy oils will serve the spiritual needs of the faithful throughout the coming year, marking significant moments of grace and healing within the diocese.