The Partner Newspaper

THANKSGIVING MASS OF MOST REV. MICHAEL OLATUNJI FAGUN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY AND 60TH PRIESTLY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES AT ST. PATRICK CATHEDRAL, ADO- EKITI ON 2ND MAY 2025.

+ Francis Obafemi ADESINA

(READINGS: Prov. 3:13-26; Heb. 6:9-12; Mark 10:28-31)

INTRODUCTION:

 Psalm 136 is rightly described as a LITANY OF THANKSGIVING in the Book of the Psalms. It was composed by David to celebrate the great hands of God in the life of his people just as we are doing right now at the occasion of the double anniversary of Baba Michael OLATUNJI FAGUN, Bishop Emeritus of Ekiti Diocese. So with Palm 136:1-2 we say: “Give thanks to God for he is good. For his mercy endures forever. O give thanks to the God of gods. For his mercy endures forever? Give thanks to the Lord of lords. For his love endures forever.” Ogo ni fun Baba; ati fun Omo; ati fun Emi Mimo….. +

• Your Excellency, Most Rev. Felix Femi AJAKAYE (our host), mo fi towo-towo ki yin pe: E ku ayo ati eye ti a nse fun Baba FAGUN l’oni. Awon Omo leyin yin, yo se iru re fun eyin na l’agbara Edumare. Amin!
• Your Grace, the Archbishop of Ibadan and Metropolitan of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Gabriel Leke ABEGUNRIN – E ku abase, a o ba eyin na yo iru ayo bayi l’agbara Olorun. Amin!
• Your Grace, the Archbishop of Lagos and my Metropolitan in Lagos Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale MARTIN. E ku idide, e ku ajoyo oni. Ohun iyi, ohun eye, ohun ope, ko na tan l’ode wa. Amin!
• Your Graces; Your Lordships; Rt. Rev. Monsignori; Rev. Fathers; 
• Major Superiors of Religious Institutes; Members of Consecrated Life. 

I greet in a very special way, Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel (Baba FAGUN’s very special spiritual daughters). E ku itoju Baba FAGUN! L’agbara Olorun e o ni ke abamo l’ojo ogbo yin. E o ma a ri aanu Olorun gba nigbagbogbo. Amin!

I greet the Papal knights and the Medalists; Our Royal Fathers; Dignitaries of Church and State; Media men and women; and dearly beloved People of God in Ekiti Diocese – E ku ojo meta – se alaafia ni a ba yin. Ohun Ayo, Ohun Eye; Ohun Ope, iru eyi ti a nba Baba FAGUN se l’ojo oni, ko ni won ni sakani wa. Amin!

Pelu Ayo Ajinde Jesu Kristi ninu Okan wa, ati Igbagbo ninu ajinde awon Oku: mo fi t’owo-t’owo ki gbogbo wa pe a ku aseyinde, aku ara-feraku ti Papa Mimo FRANCIS to re ibi awon agba nre – to je ipe ikehin lakoko Odun Ajinde Jesu Kristi. Ti a si ti sinku won gege bi ilana Ijo Ekelesia. A gba a l’adura pe: Ki Olorun Baba ati Omo ati Emi Mimo ti o pe e kuro l’aye yi ni akoko ti o ye e! Ki O gba a si paradise, Ile ologo ti a ti pese sile fun awon ayanfe Kristi. Amin. Laipe-laijina l’agbara Olorun, Emi-Mimo yio yan Papa Mimo tuntun fun idari Ijo re. Amen!

In the name of the risen Lord, I welcome you all to this great celebration of a life-time that spans through four (4) generations. I welcome you to the celebration of a great Icon, our Patriarch and a Nonagenarian, who has proven again and again to be a living legend of our time, BABA, MOST REV. MICHAEL PATRICK OLATUNJI FAGUN, Eleye wa oni! May our praises and thanksgiving on your behalf today be acceptable to God Almighty through Christ our Lord. Amin!

Eleye wa oni, Baba MAIKELI OLATUNJI FAGUN ti a pejo lati bayo ayo ojo-ibije “Odo eleje tutu” omo Aadorun Odun (90yrs) pere ni won. Ti won si ti gb’oye Alufaa ninu Ijo katoliki bi Aadota-Odun (60yrs) siyin. Adura wa fun Baba FAGUN l’oni ati nigba gbogbo ni pe: Ki Olorun ti e nsin, ti e si ni gbagbo ninu Re, ki o tunbo lora emi yin fun wa. E o ni fi ayeye ati eye oni se asemo l’agbara Jesu! Bo ti le je pe ni ile Yoruba, Awon Agba ni nsure fun omode, ki i se omode ni nwure fun Agba. Sugbon nitoripe awon Agba lo ran mi ni’se; kii se pe, emi ni mo ran ara mi nise. Nitorina, mo ti gb’ase lati f’enu awon agba gbadura fun Eleye wa oni pe:Baba FAGUN, Agba Olori rere ni Olorun se yin lati ibere aye yin wa. Agba yin a adale! Amin. Ale yin a tunbo san yin ju owuro lo l’Oruko Jesu! Amin. Oro eyin Agba ni pe: Aseye in alakan nsepo! Epo kii te, beeni Omi kii te; Oju owo kii ri’bi; eyi to ku fun yin lati lo laye yi, l’agbara Olorun, oju yin ko ni ri ibi o! Amin. Ohun ti yoo ba yin l’okan je, ko ni sele si yin, Amin! Ijoba Orun ti gbogbo wa n sare re, ko ni fo yin ru! Amin. Ni igba ti akoko ba si to lati je ipe ikehin, Aye ati Orun yoo ma ranti yin si rere l’Oruko Jesu Kristi Oluwa wa. Amin!

E ba gbe orin: Ogo yii Oluwa ye Ogo yi (2x). Ma se je ko baje! Mase je ko daru! Mase je ko baje o; Oluwa yee Ogo yi!

THE GIFT OF LIFE AND THE BLESSING OF OLD AGE

From the first book of the Holy Bible – Genesis – we know that human life is a gift from God. God created us in his image and likeness. Man and Woman are the crowns of God’s visible creation (cf. Gen. 1:26-29; 2:8-9). If human life is a gift from God the Creator; then it follows that old age is a blessing from God. In fact, the Bible is very clear on the blessing of God that old age is. In other words, old age does not come from just eating right. Old age is not a result of having plenty of money in your pocket or in your bank account. Old age does not come from physical exercises. Yes, those things mentioned may contribute to good health, but they do not necessarily result in old age. Old age as expressed in the Book of Proverbs 16:31 is a gift from the Creator: “Grey hair is a crown of glory, and it is gained by virtuous living”. Yoruba: “Irun funfun ni ade oniyi, nipa ona ododo ni a ti i ri”

The first reading for today’s celebration is taken from the Book of Proverbs 3:13-26. The reading extols / celebrates the virtue of WISDOM. It explains that the Lord gives wisdom to the upright. Happy is the man who finds wisdom; the one who gains understanding! Long life is in her right-hand; on her left are riches and honour…. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and the man is happy who holds her fast (Prov. 3:13,16-18). A Christian interpretation of these verses is that Jesus Christ and His Salvation is WISDOM personified. Every one is invited to seek and find Him through FAITH and GOOD WORKS (cf. James 2:26). Without any ambiguity, we can say that Baba Michael OLATUNJI FAGUN has sought DIVINE-WISDOM all his life by fearing, loving and serving God among his people. For this reason, God, who is ever faithful has granted him the gift of longevity so that he can achieve variety of good works for God and humanity. We thank God for this – Praise the Lord!

BISHOP MICHAEL FAGUN ON THE SAND OF HISTORY 

I am aware that Baba FAGUN’s biography has been written by many of his children when he marked his 70^th and 80^th birthday celebrations, so I won’t bother you with many details of his life which l believe many of you know better than me. It suffices to say, however, that Baba FAGUN has marked the sand of time with many historic achievements. He was born in Akure Oloyemeku on 17^th April 1935 to the family of PA THEOPHILUS FAGUN OGANLA and MAMA REBECCA FAKOLADE FAGUN both of Blessed Memories. May perpetual light shine upon them and may their souls rest in perfect peace, Amen! Born into an Anglican family, the young, handsome and innocent Michael Olatunji FAGUN was raised as a Catholic under the influence of the White Missionaries. And to achieve his desire to serve God like the missionaries, he got admission to St. Theresa Minor Seminary, Ibadan in 1952, where his call to become a catholic priest was nursed. He proceeded to Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary, Bodija, Ibadan in 1957. He was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Ondo on 4^th July 1965. As destiny would have it, six years later in October 1971, the then dynamic and prudent young Fr. Michael Olatunji FAGUN was called to the episcopate and consecrated as the Auxiliary Bishop of Ondo Diocese. Nine (9) months later on 20^th July 1972, Pope Paul VI (who is now a Saint) created the Catholic Diocese of Ado-Ekiti from the Diocese of Ondo and named Bishop Michael Olatunji FAGUN as the Pioneer Bishop of the new Diocese. After 38 good years of labouring and nurturing the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Ekiti Diocese, Baba FAGUN meritoriously retired from the pastoral administration of Ekiti Diocese on 17^th April, 2010. (E gb’Olurun tobi pelu atewo yaya fun Baba FAGUN)

The Second Reading for this celebration (Heb. 6:9-12) instructs that those who spend their lives loving and serving God will surely be recognised and rewarded by God. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews added: “God would not be so unjust as to forget all you have done, the love that you have for his name or the services you have done, and are still doing, for the holy people of God” (Heb. 6:10). In today’s gospel passage of Mark 10:29-30, Jesus responded to Peter’s question by giving assurance in these words: “In truth I tell you, there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land…now in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life…” Beloved people of God, it is wisdom to follow the counsel in the Letter to Heb. 6:11 that says: “Our desire is that every one of you should go on showing the same enthusiasm till the ultimate fulfilment of your hope, never growing careless, but taking as your model those who by their faith and perseverance are heirs of the promise”. May we never grow tired, cold or careless about doing good as we cooperate with God’s grace for salvation, Amin!

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please join me in prayer for the celebrant that God may abundantly bless and reward him for the many good things he has personally achieved for the growth of Christianity in Yoruba Land and for Humanity. Baba FAGUN, because we are immensely grateful for your many contributions to the Church and Society, we would not wait until God calls you home before recounting some of the good works the Lord has accomplished through you. We need to talk and celebrate your achievements now; not only for the purpose of praising your courage, tenacity and dedication; but also to serve as source of inspiration and encouragement to those of us coming behind you. 

As Scriptures says, if God does not forget the good works of his beloved, how could anyone fail to acknowledge or appreciate the many good works that Bishop Michael FAGUN has done in his 90 years on earth?  For example Could anyone ever forget that Bishop Michael FAGUN is the pioneer Bishop of the “Diocese of Ado-Ekiti” which he, with the approval of the Holy See, changed to “Catholic Diocese of Ekiti” or “Ekiti Diocese” in the interest of unity, and sensitive to the history of the good people of Ekiti (this is what I call: “ecclesiology in action” capturing the idea of “Ekiti parapo”). 

Baba FAGUN’s passion for the evangelization of the indigenous Yoruba people through catechesis and liturgy using the local language of the people knows no bound. This was the push behind his successful completion of the translation of the Bible into Yoruba language in 1990 and have since then produced many improved editions. Today, Bishop FAGUN’s Yoruba Bible version is in higher demand than Bishop Ajayi Crowther’s version published in 1884. I am personally indebted to your labour of love in this regard, Baba FAGUN, as I just gifted each priest in pastoral work in Ijebu-Ode Diocese, for their Easter gift, a copy of the latest hard cover edition of FAGUN’s Yoruba Bible Translation. E seun pupo Baba. We can’t thank you enough. Olorun a san yin l’esan rere, l’Oruko Jesu Kristi. Amin. 

Baba FAGUN’s passion for Inculturation and evangelisation has seen him translate the Roman Missal, the Breviary (Liturgy of the Hours), the ‘Legion Handbook’ and the Rites for the Sacraments into Yoruba language to facilitate “full, active and conscious participation” in the liturgy that the Second Vatican Council advocated in Sacrosanctum Concilium, no. 14. These uncommon achievements have not only encouraged and improved the quality of active participation of the clergy, religious and laity in the sacred liturgy, and in the evangelising mission of the church. These many publications have put EKITI DIOCESE in the limelight of the world as a place where a genius lives, who we can refer to as our own St. Jerome [the man who first translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek to LATIN (the Vulgate) in 382 AD – 4^TH CENTURY]. Like St. Jerome, Baba FAGUN has translated the OLD and NEW TESTAMENT from FRENCH to YORUBA. As far as I know, it is only in EKITI DIOCESE in NIGERIA (Africa), where a person single handedly translate almost all Liturgical Books to YORUBA LANGUAGE. Such a man qualifies to be called the 21st Century Ss. Cyril and Methodius (827 – 885 AD) for making the Christian – Catholic faith more accessible to the indigenous Yoruba people. It may interest you to know that Baba FAGUN has just published the Book of the GOSPELS in Yoruba. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. Baba FAGUN remains mentally and spiritually engaged even in his retirement.

How could anyone possibly forget Baba FAGUN’s audacity, courage and trust in God in founding an indigenous female congregation, the Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel (SSMA) for the purpose of evangelisation. Since its foundation in November 1986, this female religious Institute has grown in leaps and bounds and has attained the canonical status of a Diocesan Right. As we speak, the SSMA are not only visible in Ekiti Diocese, they spread across over many Archdioceses and Dioceses in Nigeria, including Ijebu-Ode, and 17 other countries in Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia, ministering to the needy in education, healthcare, social work and parish apostolates. With the approval and support of their Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Felix Femi AJAKAIYE, they are now looking forward to attaining the Pontifical Right. Mo gba l’adura fun yin pe: A sese mo mo l’oruko Baba…. Omo…Emi Mimo…..! Ti e ba fe ko seese, my dear Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel, please “be faithful and loyal to your Origin, your Charism and to Church Authority, and you will be honoured and blessed by God in all your apostolates, through Christ our Lord. Amen!

TESTAMENT OF HOPE: A LIFE AND MINISTRY LIVED IN JOY.

In this Year of Hope, we are reminded that hope is a gift from God that transcends time and circumstances. Bishop FAGUN has embodied this hope throughout his journey of life as a leader, shepherd, and spiritual guide. His life and ministry is a testament to the belief that even in times of trial, faith can illuminate our paths and inspire us to embrace love and compassion. At 90 years old, retired Bishop FAGUN continues to be a pillar of strength and wisdom in his immediate community and beyond. His years of dedicated service have borne fruit in countless lives, demonstrating the importance of commitment and unwavering faith. From the first day of his priestly ordination to this very moment, Baba FAGUN has offered his heart and his soul to the Church, encouraging us to live out the tenets of our own faith with joy, integrity and Hope.

As we celebrate Baba FAGUN’s 60 years of ordination as Catholic priest, let us also remember his tireless work in pastoral care, education, and evangelisation outreach in Ekiti Diocese before passing on the Barton of leadership to his successor. Baba FAGUN has not only taught us about the virtues of kindness, humility and joy in the ministry, he has also modelled them in every aspect of his life. His ability to connect deeply with people (with Priests, Religious and Laity, even children) listening to them and providing them comfort in difficult times has made Baba FAGUN a Beloved Figure among his flock far and near. He has been and remains a source of inspiration for many of us. In his active silence in retirement, Baba FAGUN continues to foster a sense of unity and hope within Ekiti diocese and Yoruba Land. He is indeed a “shepherd who smells like his sheep”, a shepherd who allows his “fragrance of grace” to transform, to empower and to comfort the flock.

To all of us celebrating these significant milestones in honour of Baba FAGUN, let us also look forward in faith and hope.  The challenges of our time and nation call for a renewed Easter hope and commitment in each one of us. The celebrant’s life and ministry is not just a gift for himself. It is a gift for us too, so that we may have the courage to step into our own calling with faith and hope. Let us therefore honour Baba FAGUN by reflecting on our own lives, asking how we too can carry forward his legacies of faith, compassion and hope in our ministry and life. Let us commit ourselves to become ‘agents of hope’, ‘ambassadors of Easter joy and instrument of peace’ in the world. 

Your Excellences, fellow Presbyters and dearly beloved children of God, as we rejoice in the blessings of Bishop Michael FAGUN’s 90th birthday and 60 years of priestly ministry, let us give thanks to God for his life—a life lived in selfless service and hope in the church and society. May God continue to bless our celebrant, Most Rev. Michael Olatunji FAGUN, with strength, joy and the grace of final perseverance. A beautiful life does not just happen, it is built daily on prayer, humility, sacrifice and love. We pray for the grace to emulate Christ as we face challenges in the journeys of life. We place ourselves and the celebrant Baba FAGUN under the protective maternal care of Our Lady Mother of AFRICA. Peace be with you all!

YHB 259: De wa lade, Olorun igbala wa// Ade ogo t’orun rerema fi dun wa o

De wa l’ade re o, Baba de wa l’ade rere//

Ade wura t’orun, ma fi dun wa o.//

Oba Iye t’o da wa si, a wa juba re//

Metalokan Baba Mimo a wa yin O o//

Eleti gbaroye o, feere fun wa//

Ma je a rin lowo ofo n’ile re Jesu.