Francis 'Jide MAKINWA

 

Marriage, as a sacrament in the Church, is one of the gifts by which married couples sanctify themselves, and by extension, all members of the family who are linked to the marriage are sanctified by it. This message was delivered by Rev. Fr. Patrick Ajayi, the Osogbo Catholic Diocesan Chaplain of the Marriage and Family Life Commission, during their recent two-day seminar, between Friday, 27th, and Saturday, 28th February, 2026, at the Pastoral Centre, Ede, Osun State.

The occasion was the fourth phase of the training programme for Catholic married couples. It is a year-long programme of four phases in which couples would be trained to become couple evangelizers in their family, Church, parish, deanery, and diocese.

The theme of the seminar was "Marriage and family life as a means of evangelization."

Fr. Ajayi said that in the course of the training, it has been observed that in marriage, every man and woman has become a gift of grace to each other. They have become a servant/a minister of God's love to each other. Therefore, as angels of God's love to each other, all they do together and all they do with each other bring about the sanctification of their souls. This is so because all they have done for each other has been done in view of God and in view of love-giving, which is unselfish but self-offering. Therefore, according to St. John Paul II, "Marriage is a path to holiness, a means of sanctification."

Fr. Ajayi said further that marriage and family life become a means of sanctification through various ways. Some of which is the commitment of faith in which the husband and the wife, with every child in the family, sanctify themselves through the conviction and commitment to serve God in each other as members of the same family. The husband and the wife are the first to communicate their faith to their children and to educate them, as the family is the domestic Church.

Commitment of hope is another way of sanctification, as marriage sanctifies and purifies through the hope and trust that God, who is being served in marriage, would bring reward.

Finally, Fr. Ajayi said that commitment of love sanctifies couples in their marriage, as 'God is love' (1 John 4:8), and in John 15:9, Jesus said, 'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love.'

 Another topic for discussion at the seminar included "Becoming a Samaritan Couple," presented by Prof. and Mrs. Stephen Olanrewaju with reference to the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-27). Discussions were made on the Samaritan concept in the nuclear family setting, such as 'a Samaritan husband,' wives' perception, 'a Samaritan wife,' husbands' perception, and 'a Samaritan parent,'  couples' perception. The members also evaluated the ingredients of an effective Samaritan couple beyond the family setting to the outside neighbours. This is easily seen through expression of love, cooperation between the couple, and the peaceful and Christ-like way of living. Compassion and empathy for others in the Church, and the community through helping the less privileged and widows/widowers and offering scholarships to indigent   students are ways to demonstrate and be a good Samaritan to people in the neighbourhood.

At the end, parents were encouraged to support each other and be committed and be responsible in the family. 'Don't be too busy to neglect your responsibilities in the house, especially concerning your children,' Prof. Olanrewaju urged.

The next topic was on "Experience of marital mentoring," which was addressed by Dr. Felix Faniran.

Dr. Faniran declared that the secret of a Christian marriage is the word of God; hence, couple should make efforts to sustain their marriage by reading and meditating on the Holy Bible regularly. They should also participate in the annual 'Life in the Spirit' Seminar as evangelization would be difficult without the power of the holy spirit, he said.

Other programmes at the event included 'Self-evaluation of my marriage', testimony of marital success, 'Deepening the Faith', adoration and prayer.

 At the close of the event, the Chaplain of the Commission, Fr. Ajayi, reminded the attendees that marriage is not a product, but a process and perfection in a process would come with time. He urged them to let their marriage be used to promote Jesus as evangelizers. He promised that certificates would be awarded to the participants during the Diocesan event; the Chrism Mass which would come up soon.

About thirty couples participated at the event.

The programme was anchored by Mr. Charles Fadahunsi and Mr Oladele Fatoke.