Jacob BABALOLA (Staff Writer)

“Today is a special Sunday in our country. Today we celebrate the Mothers’ Day. Today we pray for our mothers that God continues to strengthen them, nourish them and nurture them, so that they can be responsible mothers to keep the Homes alive. We pray for those who have died that God will grant eternal rest to their souls.” Those were the opening remarks of the parish priest of St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan, Rev. Fr. Stephen Balogun during the 3rd Sunday of Easter which was also earmarked by the Universal Church to celebrate the Mothers’ Day in 2026.

Fr. Balogun congratulated the mothers, requesting that all mothers remain on their seats while others stood up and sang “Sweet Mother…, Iya ni Wura iyebiye’ (Mother is a precious gold of great value) and ‘Mummy ooo, wa pe l’aye (Mummy, may you live long) as he said it is not easy to be a woman or a mother because the responsibilities are great and that what they pass through at home are many, even though they look different in Church than they look while at work for the family. “It is so important that the Church, herself, Mother, decided to shift the celebration till today, having falls on Lenten season.” The priest stated.

The cleric, however, urged the mothers to raise up good children as he stated that behavior of children are reflections of what their mothers put in them. The mothers and by extension the entire parishioners were admonished to be caring for one another for the person who cares, finds joy as read in the day’s gospel (Luke 24:13-35) of two disciples on their way to Emmaus and how they eventually encountered Christ and returned to Jerusalem to reveal Him to others.

Fr. Balogun encouraged mothers to emulate St. Monica, mother of Augustine, who went through hell but never gave up on her son until he listened to a homily that changed his life. “If you are a good mother, always pray in any situation. The disciples were being good by inviting Christ to stay with them, so, be good to others. The disciples also recognized Christ at the breaking of bread, you too can meet Christ in the Eucharist; only if you’re attentive.” The priest said.

 The priest therefore enjoined mothers to be like Blessed Virgin Mary, who is a loving mother and not like a mother who advised her daughter to ask for head of John the Baptist. He admonished those that are trying to continue, while those that are not living up to expectation to change; even as he urged fathers to have rest of mind.

Members of Holy Childhood Association of the parish also gave a rendition in honour of mothers while the mothers in their uniform participated in the day’s liturgy in different capacities and also had a thanksgiving and a little refreshment after the Mass.