Vincent OBANIYI

 

In a Solemn liturgy marked by spirit-filled and joyful devotion, Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo administered the Sacrament of Confirmation on a group of young candidates at St. Leo Catholic Chaplaincy, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Iresaapa, Ogbomoso.

The sacred rite, held amidst a congregation of students, clergy, and lay faithful, was concelebrated by Rev. Fr. Solomon Oke, the Chaplain of the school.

 

Addressing the confirmands during his homily, Bishop Badejo delivered a stirring exhortation on the responsibilities and graces that come with the sacrament of confirmation. He reminded them that, through the laying-on of hands and anointing with sacred chrism, they were being sent forth —like the early disciples; as witnesses to Christ in a world hungry for truth and integrity.

 

 “When you receive the sacrament of confirmation you must be able to stand up for Christ. The same Holy Spirit that empowered the apostles at Pentecost now empowers you to be His witnesses today.” declared the Bishop.

 

Drawing from the Acts of the Apostles and the life of the early Church, Bishop Badejo emphasized that the Christian witness must be visible, vibrant, and rooted in spiritual discipline. He urged the candidates to cultivate a deep relationship with God through Scripture and devotion. “Own a Bible. Read it. Live it,” he said passionately. “Take your rosary seriously and let the Blessed Virgin Mary be your model of faith, humility, and obedience.”

 

The Bishop further encouraged the newly confirmed to “fan into flame the gift of the Holy Spirit” they had received, echoing the words of St. Paul to Timothy. He reminded them that confirmation is not the end of their faith journey but a beginning marked by deeper commitment, courage, and sacrifice.

 

 “Be led by the Spirit in all things, Let your lives reflect humility and commitment, just as Christ showed us.”

 

The liturgy, which resounded with befitting hymns, prayers, and moments of quiet reverence, underscored the unity and spiritual vigor of the Catholic community within the school and beyond. The students, resplendent in their white garments, processed with dignity and reverence to receive the sacrament, and many were visibly moved by the solemnity of the occasion.

 

Fr. Solomon Oke, in a brief remarks after the Reception of the Holy Communion, thanked the Bishop for his pastoral presence and called on parents and guardians to continue nurturing the faith of their children beyond the school chapel.

 

Immediately after the Mass, everyone sang and walked to the site for a foundation laying of St. Leo Catholic Chaplaincy Church Building. The prayer was led by the Bishop. During the foundation laying, the first corner was laid by the Bishop, the second by a Priest and a Reverend Sister, the third by the Staff, and the fourth by some parents and on of the school prefect; the head boy as a representative of all the students.

 

During an interview, Uchendu Lincoln (Head Boy) said: "Confirmation is a sacrament through which we receive the Holy Spirit, making us strong, perfect Christians and soldiers of Christ. I am very excited about today because it is the first of its kind in the history of this great school, and we were honored by the presence of the Bishop of Oyo Diocese. I encourage all my Catholic brothers and sisters who have not yet received this sacrament to take it seriously so that they can become stronger in the Catholic faith and fully mature as adult Catholics."

 

Also in an interview with Ozornwokike Adeline Onyinye (a teacher and parent), she said: "The occasion went successfully. In fact, I must be frank — this is an answered prayer we have been waiting for over the years. I have been here as a teacher and parent since 2017, and we have been praying and asking God to bless us with a Commandant who is Catholic. A non-Catholic would not have worked in the way our dear Commandant is working, ensuring our children remain in the faith. Today, about 73 students were confirmed, and I am glad and thank God for the success of the occasion. My prayer is that God will continue to bless her and that she will never relent in serving God."

 

In another interview session, Captain E.O. Egwurube (Commandant, Nigeria Navy Secondary School Ogbomoso) said: "Today’s gathering is for the laying of the foundation and the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation on our students — about 73 of them have received the sacrament, becoming soldiers of Christ. The Bible says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ We are catching them young so that they will follow the way of the Lord and become true soldiers of Christ. This occasion is also important because it gives us the strength to have our own Chaplaincy — St. Leo Catholic Chaplaincy, Ogbomoso, which we did not have before. That is why today is very significant to me."

 

Priests who graced the occasion includes: Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola (The Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo), Rev. Fr. Samson Ojo (Dean of Ogbomoso Deanery), Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Olabode, and the Reverend Sisters of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit (DHS) congregation.

 

The day’s celebration not only marked a sacramental milestone for the candidates but also a reaffirmation of the mission of the Church in forming young apostles for a world in desperate need of hope, holiness, and authentic Christian witness.