Daniel UGWO

With the look of things, Easter, specifically ‘’Holy Saturday’’ without Sacrament conferment will be rare in a long time at SS Peter & Paul Pro-Cathedral, Lagere, Ile-Ife as 30 catechumens, received various sacraments on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026. For a very long time, the difference in number of catechumen prepared for various sacraments has maintained the same range plus or minus 15.

Recall that on April 19 2025, 42 received various sacraments while 54, including 9 couples received on 30 April 2024. This year, there was no Holy Saturday wedding. The rigorous training leading to the reception ended during Holy Week, having written tests of knowledge of the Church and of Sacraments, both from the instructors and the Priests. Earlier on Holy Thursday, the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Adeyemi recognized that day as first of three most important days in the Catholic calendar – Good Friday and Holy Saturday being the other days. He emphasized the love of Christ and service, as two important things that cannot be separated from Thursday. While he continually highlights that the Catholic Eucharist is never a semblance of the body and blood of Christ but rather his real Body and Blood, he was emphatic that the Ministry of Priesthood is never a ministry of dictatorship but of service.

In addition, according to him, it should neither be used as medium of exploitation or luring the office over the people. He reminded priests to be vigilant always in order to keep the people of God awake. He however seeks prayers and support from faithful in order not to fall and to rise each time they fall. On Good Friday, Fr. Adeyemi challenged Christians to be witnesses to the love of Christ rather than mourning on such occasion. His reason is that Christ’s death was never by accident, hence a day that call for repentance from evil while embracing righteousness.

According to him, Christ as an immortal being cannot die in his divine nature hence taking the form of man for that purpose. “The Cross shows the depth of his divine love, from the cross comes the power of forgiveness” he said. On Saturday, he emphasized that Christ’s death was not as a result of helplessness, it is to ensure victory over death and light over darkness - a promise fulfilled, since resurrection affirm the authenticity of Christian faith.

The Parish Priest, on Sunday considers the mystery of Easter as one that for ever defines Christian’s identity. He encouraged Christians to carry into the world the message of Easter which is of life, hope, healing, restoration and assurance of eternal life. One remarkable moment as the Holy Week concludes is the uncommon enthusiasm of the new convert - Gabriel Emmanuel, a former member of the Celestial Church. He was surprised how easy it is to becoming a Catholic despite detailed processes. “I am now a Catholic, I am so happy” he exclaimed. It took Gabriel some times to actually begin the catechism class. Thanks to his fiancée and persistent reminder of the catechism class instructor. Gabriel, who earlier was furious on where to begin, is now back to his mother’s faith, having received Catholic faith in his adulthood.