Paul OGUNSANYA (SCC, Oyo Diocese)

 

It was a day of joy and spiritual renewal for the Catholic community as 132 candidates received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Ogbomoso. The sacrament was administered by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo.

 

In his homily, Bishop Badejo reminded the faithful that the true evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit is the ability to proclaim Jesus as Lord in all circumstances. He described the Holy Spirit as the “transformer of life,” whose role is to keep Christians firm in their faith. “Without the Holy Spirit,” he noted, “calling Jesus our Lord is just mere talk of the tongue.”

 

The Bishop explained that to be truly born again is to be born of water through Baptism and of the Spirit through Confirmation. Quoting St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, he emphasized that only through the Spirit of God can Christians truly call themselves children of God. He stressed that the Spirit empowers believers to do good, to be active in the Church, and to resist the allure of worldly pleasures.

Addressing the newly confirmed, Bishop Badejo gave three key charges: he urged them to pray constantly, especially for the renewal of the Holy Spirit; to be close to the Bible and study it faithfully; and to remain devoted to the Rosary as a weapon of faith.

 

He encouraged the candidates to bear good fruit as authentic witnesses of Christ and concluded with prayers that the Holy Spirit would remain with them always.

 

Sharing his joy, Ejike Francis, one of the newly confirmed youths, testified that receiving the Holy Spirit has strengthened him as a Catholic, especially amidst the challenges facing Nigeria. Similarly, Engr. Prof. Emmanuel Sangotayo, a teacher of faith, urged the confirmands to be active in the life of the Church, committed to pious societies, and courageous in witnessing to their Catholic faith.

 

The celebration was marked with vibrant hymns, thanksgiving, and renewed zeal for the faith, leaving the parish community and the entire Diocese of Oyo uplifted and strengthened in the Spirit.