Catechist Michael OLAGOKE

Mama Mary Olurin Dairo, a parishioner of St. Anne Catholic Church, who died on Tuesday morning 21st April, 2026 was laid to rest on Friday 24th April 2026 after a Funeral Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church, Ogbere, Ibadan. The burial Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Azeez and Rev. Fr. Esau Enger, CSJ.

Fr. Azeez started his homily by reminding everyone that all are passers-by on earth and that we all shall return home. “Mama Mary reached her bus stop and she stopped at 82. So also all of us will reach our bus stop and stop one day, whether now or later.”

He emphasized on three important things at his homily. He said the first thing we had gathered to do was to pray for the soul of Mama Mary to rest in peace, because all have sinned and fallen short the glory of God, therefore mama needs our prayers so as to receive merciful judgement from God. He cited 2 Timothy 1:16-18: where Paul prays for Onesiphorus who had already died, asking God to grant him mercy “on that Day.”

 

Prayer for the dead is not a Catholic invention, it is Biblical faith in action. Revelation 21:27 says: “Nothing unclean will enter heaven.”

But who dies perfectly pure? Most of us die with love in our hearts, yet still stained by weakness.

Here the mercy of God provides purification, what the Church calls Purgatory. Our prayers, Masses, and sacrifices will help the dead through this purification.

He further said that the second reason is to give thanks to God for the life of Mama. “If Mama had not done well in her ways of life, the people gathered here would not have come. In fact, the priests may not have come to celebrate this Mass assuming she was not baptized and received the body of Christ during her lifetime. Her diligent work speak for her.” Therefore, Children should not allow the good work of Mama to go into grave with her but should emulate and continue the good work.

The third reason is for everyone at the burial to look inward and check whether we are preparing for our own death. He encouraged everyone to always prepare for the death because no one knows the actual time. “Our lives should be lived in a way that gives glory to God and humanities.”

Finally he prayed for the aged husband and the entire family. Interment followed immediately at Mama's resident. May God grant her eternal rest.