Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

Legionaries in Ibadan Archdiocese, under Our Lady of Lourdes Society, Ibadan had been admonished on the need to be humble in order to learn and understand in life. The parish priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun gave this admonition during the closing Mass to round up the Legionaries evangelization programmes hosted by the parish from Thursday 28th to Sunday 31st August 2025.

The Legionaries, who were welcomed into the parish by the Parish Priest and the Parish Laity Council Executive held series of activities such as the visitations that covered the parish environment and the outstations during which legionaries were able to make contact with few Catholics, other Christians, Muslims, Traditional Worshipers and some other believers within the duration of the evangelization programmes.

Fr. Balogun in his homily commended the legionaries for leaving their comfort zones to endure any condition elsewhere for the sake of evangelization. “Your experience in view days shows God is always with us. Whether comfortable like in your homes or not, it has started and is ending. What you need is humility to accept any condition.”

The parish priest assured the legionaries that for anybody that is humble, there is nothing he/she is looking for that he/she will not get. He used the stories of a man that went begging for bread for a visitor and the military general that went to Jesus because of his servant; that both actors must have removed their pride in order to do such, which are not actually for themselves but for another person.

The Cleric appreciated the spirit of oneness among the legionaries, who are of different tribes saying: “as you are here, this is one Nigeria.” He condemned some people who are poor and are still proud as he said humility takes one far in life and helps one to open doors, hence the parable given by Jesus in the day’s Gospel reading.

The priest, who is also the CAN Coordinator in Ona Ara LGA added that though the spirit of humility is not easy, the training is for one to be quiet. “All of us are called as legionaries to be humble. Nothing like I am better than Charismatic. Your father can be in Charismatic while you’re legionary, all are working together. Who you are is inside of you, not just the symbol that can be seen. You may not be recognized in your community, but the good you do differentiates you. If you stop because of anybody, you’re on your own, for you’re not doing it for anybody but for God.” The priest stated.

Fr. Balogun charged the legionaries to note that “humility completes our dress code. If you fight every day, you disgrace yourself. Education is good but character is very important. Be modest, have confidence in God and not in man. If pride drives your life, shame is right at the owner’s corner.”

Continuing, he said, “Humility is what will help you as legionaries. People will fight your battle for you, people will speak for you if humble. If you kneel humbly before God, He will open door for you. Let us learn not to sit in the place of honour but of service and God will bring you up. People will call you names, abuse you, but do not mind them.” The priest charged.

There was a general thanksgiving during the Mass, to appreciate God for the successful completion of the evangelization programmes and the last day of the month of August.

The President of the group, Bro Patrick Ajibola; who was also accompanied during the outing by the Vice president – Bro Felix-Mary Benjamin; Secretary – Bro Anthony Alele; Asst. Secretary – Sis Lawrencia Lenichi and Treasurer – Sis Mary Gloria Odoh, gave a vote of thanks. He appreciated the parish priest, the Rev. Srs of Jesus the Saviour, Ogbere for the accommodation and promised that details report of the programmes shall be presented to the Local Ordinary and the parish priests.

He, however, gave a brief statistics (number) of those the legionaries came in contact with during the four-day-programmes thus: Home and shops visited – 2168; total contacts – 5617; No. of Catholics - 147; No. of practicing Catholics – 66; Non practicing Catholics – 53; Lapse Catholics – 14; Catechumen – 12; No. of converts – 2; other Christians – 2142; Muslims - 3136; Jehovah witness – 1; traditional worshippers – 36; free thinkers – 47; and unknown – 108.

The parish priest also appreciated the legionaries and urged them to ensure report of their mission is given to their respective parish priest and PLC. He commended all the functionaries during the Mass, saying he would miss them all. He also took group photographs with them.

This Legionaries program is the third Archdiocesan Society’s event the parish has hosted within the last three months. It will be recalled that HCA 2025 Children’s Day celebration was held in the parish on 27th of May, followed by hosting of Archdiocesan Board of Church Wardens on 29th of June, 2025.