The Obosi Community joyfully reflects on a truly uplifting Oratory gathering held yesterday. The event was marked by a deep sense of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and shared faith among participants.
We give heartfelt thanks to God Almighty for His abundant goodness and mercy, which were evident throughout the gathering. His presence inspired meaningful engagement, strengthened our unity as a community, and enriched our time of prayer and reflection.
We remain grateful for the opportunity to come together in faith and look forward to future gatherings that will continue to nurture spiritual growth and communal harmony.
With gratitude to God, the Ijebu-Ode Community continues to witness remarkable growth and development in many aspects of its life and mission. Truly, the theme “The Great Uplifting” reflects the steady progress recorded in beekeeping, agriculture, fish farming and production, construction, and community life.
The apiary project has been successfully established, with nine beehive boxes already installed. Although the hives are yet to be occupied by bee colonies, the community remains hopeful and prayerful that nature will soon favour the project with thriving colonies.
In the area of agriculture, the community vegetable garden has been established with various crops, including ugu, okro, green vegetables, and pawpaw, currently at the nursery stage. The community is optimistic that this initiative will soon contribute meaningfully to both nutrition and sustainability.
The fish farm and feed mill are also making encouraging progress. We have already begun smoking and selling fish from the investment, which was initiated at the inception of this administration. This marks a positive step toward self-sufficiency and economic empowerment within the community.
In the area of education and youth development, the St. Joseph’s School playground facilities and installations have been completed. This project was generously sponsored by the Salesian Voluntary Missionary Service, Krakow, Poland, and will be commissioned on Monday, 9th March by the Diocesan Director of Education. The playground will serve as an important recreational and developmental space for the school’s pupils.
The Mary Help of Christians Parish Grotto project is also progressing steadily and continues to receive remarkable support from parishioners and friends, reflecting the community’s deep Marian devotion.
Furthermore, an important milestone will be reached as the foundation of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will be laid on Monday, 9th March by the Dean of Iloti Deanery. The project is proudly sponsored by the PDO, while the foundation excavation work has already been completed, paving the way for the next phase of construction.
Indeed, these achievements testify to the spirit of cooperation, faith, and commitment within the community. As the journey continues, the Ijebu-Ode Community remains grateful to God and hopeful for even greater accomplishments ahead.
ONLINE — The Formation Commission of the Salesians of Don Bosco, ANN Province, successfully conducted its Mid-Year Meeting and Evaluation of the 3 Aspirantates, Prenovitiate, Novitiate, Postnovitiate and Theology house, from March 2–3, 2026. Held via an online platform, the two-day intensive session brought together formation delegates and directors to review the progress of Salesian candidates and strategize for the future of formation in the province.
Day 1: Reviewing the Journey of Formation
The meeting commenced on Monday, March 2, with opening prayers and a warm welcome to the members of the Province Formation Commission (PFC). The morning session focused on administrative continuity, beginning with the review of the minutes from the last physical meeting held in November 2025.
A significant portion of the day was dedicated to a comprehensive Mid-Year Evaluation. Directors from the various stages of formation—ranging from the pre-novitiate to post-novitiate levels—presented brief evaluations detailing the growth, progress, and specific challenges encountered within their respective houses.
A key highlight was the presentation by Fr Damian Akintemi, the Novice Master, who addressed the complexities of quarterly and community experience assessments. His session opened a dialogue on navigating the difficulties of evaluating confreres in formation to ensure a balanced approach to their vocational growth. The day concluded with an update on the ongoing Formation Plan Review, ensuring the province remains aligned with global Salesian standards.
Day 2: Looking Toward the Future and GC29
On Tuesday, March 3, the Commission shifted its focus toward implementation and future collaborations. Central to the discussion was the General Chapter 29 (GC29) document. Members deliberated on practical suggestions for implementing the GC29 directives on formation within the specific context of the ANN Province.
In a move toward inclusivity and shared mission, the Commission explored:
Proposals for the ongoing formation of formation house teams and guides.
Strategies for joint formation initiatives involving Salesian lay collaborators.
“Formation in Mission”, a session led by Fr Stephen Omoniyi, the Mission Delegate, which emphasised the inseparable link between Salesian identity and missionary zeal.
Upcoming Extraordinary Visit
During the open forum, the Commission discussed the highly anticipated visit of the Regional Councillor for Formation to selected formation houses in the ANN Province, scheduled for May 2026. Members noted that this visit would serve as a vital moment of communion with the whole congregation and an opportunity to showcase the province’s commitment to nurturing authentic Salesian vocations.
The meeting ended with a spirit of optimism and a renewed commitment to the accompaniment of young confreres. After a session of general comments and concluding remarks, the meeting was brought to a formal close with prayers, setting a clear roadmap for the remainder of the formation year.
Remember that the Salesian Proper is used on the 22nd January(Blessed Laura Vicuna), 24th (Saint Francis de Sales), and 30th (BlessedBronislas Markiewicz)
Africa Nigeria- Niger Province- The Youth Coordinators and Youth Ministry Commission Meeting of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Africa Nigeria–Niger Province, was held from 18th to 23rd January 2026 at the Provincial House, Iju, Lagos, under the theme “Do Whatever He Tells You.” The meeting was organized by the Youth Ministry Sector to strengthen formation, leadership, coordination, and collaboration in provincial youth ministry.
All Youth Coordinators of the province were in attendance, except those from Niger Republic. Also present were Mr. Anthony Ogunsusi and Mrs. Faith Onwubuya (Youth Ministry), Fr. Daniel Omatu (Formation Department), Fr. Linus (National Coordinator, Social Services), and Fr. Peter Gbertyo (Regional Coordinator, Social Services).
Facilitation was provided by Fr. Rafael Benajardo, General Councillor for Youth Ministry; Fr. Jerry (Youth Ministry Office, Rome); Rev. Fr. Peter Wojnarowski (Don Bosco Fambul, Sierra Leone); Dr. (Mrs.) Olotu, professional counsellor; Mr. Cletus Etukanpan (TVET); staff of the Provincial Development Office (PDO); The Vice Provincial, Rev. Fr. James Ailen; Fr. Matthew Idoko; and Fr. Omoniyi Stephen, Provincial Councillor for Salesian Mission.
The programme consisted of focused formation sessions, workshops, meetings, and sharing moments addressing moral and spiritual formation, leadership development, safeguarding, and effective youth accompaniment. The meeting was well-coordinated, participatory, and impactful, reinforcing provincial youth ministry priorities, strengthening collaboration, and renewing commitment to the Salesian mission of serving young people.
In his message for the 60th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Leo XIV invites our parish community to reflect on the sacredness of the human face and voice. In an age where artificial intelligence can simulate how we look and sound, the Holy Father reminds us that our unique identities are gifts from God, created in His image and likeness. These features are not just data points; they are the heart of how we encounter one another in love and friendship.
While technology offers many new opportunities, the Pope gently warns us not to outsource our thinking or our relationships to machines. When we settle for “artificial” connections, we risk losing the effort and beauty of truly listening to one another. As a parish family, we are called to move beyond the “bubbles” of the internet to seek real, heart-to-heart encounters. By choosing to be present to our neighbors—listening with empathy and speaking with honesty—we witness to the dignity of the human person and ensure that our community remains a place of authentic communion and truth.
Key Quote: “Faces and voices are sacred. God, who created us in his image and likeness, gave them to us when he called us to life through the Word he addressed to us.” (paragraph 12)
Parish Application: We can live this message by prioritizing face-to-face moments in our ministries and ensuring our parish communications always lead us back to real-life encounters and service to one another.
Citation: Pope Leo XIV, World Communications Day Message 2026, paragraph 12
A hunter’s moon rises behind a statue of St. Francis of Assisi on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wis., Oct 8, 2022. (OSV News photo/Sam Lucero, CNS)
VATICAN CITY – In a decree that bridges the universal Church’s recent Holy Year with the enduring legacy of the “Poverello,” His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has officially proclaimed a Special Year of St Francis, running from January 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027.
The proclamation, marking the 8th centenary of the Transitus (passage from earthly life to heaven) of St. Francis of Assisi, invites the faithful worldwide to a “year of grace” focused on peace, poverty, and reconciliation. The decree was issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary and is accompanied by a personal letter from the Pontiff addressed to the Franciscan Family.
“St Francis continues to speak to this era marked by wars and division,” Pope Leo XIV wrote. “Not because he offers technical solutions, but because his life points to the authentic source of peace—Christ Himself.”
Spiritual Benefits and Indulgences
The Holy Father has granted specific spiritual privileges to encourage the faithful to participate fully in this Jubilee. The decree outlines the following benefits for the Church:
Plenary Indulgence for Pilgrims
A Plenary Indulgence is granted to all faithful who, under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff), make a pilgrimage to any Franciscan church or holy place dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world. There, they must devoutly participate in a jubilee rite or spend time in pious meditation, concluding with the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis.
Grace for the Sick and Homebound
The elderly, the sick, and all those who, for a grave cause, are unable to leave their homes may equally obtain the Plenary Indulgence. They are required to join spiritually in the Jubilee celebrations, offering their prayers and sufferings to the Merciful God, while having the intention to fulfil the usual conditions as soon as possible.
A Call to “Disarming” Peace
Beyond the remission of temporal punishment, the Pope underlines a communal spiritual benefit: the grace to become “unarmed and disarming witnesses of peace”. The Jubilee is envisioned as a school of reconciliation where the faithful can heal relationships with God, with their neighbours, and with creation.
Renewal of Evangelical Poverty
The year is set apart as a time for “authentic spiritual renewal”, challenging Christians to detach from the “spirit of the world” and rediscover the joy of the Gospel. The Pope exhorts the faithful to look to St Francis not merely as a historical figure, but as a living model of how to shape one’s life entirely on Christ. The Jubilee Year officially opened on Saturday, January 10, with a solemn celebration at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, the site of the Porziuncola and the place where St Francis died in 1226.
To obtain the Plenary Indulgence for the Year of St Francis, the decree usually requires visiting a church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. In Nigeria, any Catholic church dedicated to St Francis of Assisi can be an appropriate place to make the pilgrimage to. For instance, in Ondo Diocese, we have St Francis Catholic Church, Oke-Aro, Akure, Ondo State. You can make a pilgrimage here, spend time in prayer, recite the Creed and Our Father, and pray for the Pope’s intentions to fulfil the Jubilee requirements.
The Rector’s Formation Course for new Rectors—first-time Rectors and those being prepared for future responsibilities—has successfully concluded in Nairobi, Kenya. The seven-day programme was organised by the Salesians’ Formation Centre for Africa and Madagascar (Don Bosco–SAFCAM).
The course was facilitated by Frs. Camiel Swertvagher and Gerald Umoh, with enriching contributions from guest lecturers Fr. Maximus Chikwem Okoro and Br. John Ngigi Njuguna. The programme focused on leadership, community animation, governance, and the spiritual and pastoral responsibilities of a Rector in the Salesian mission.
Eight Salesian priests from four Provinces in Africa participated in the course. They were: Fr. Cheruiyot Keter (AFE), Fr. Weldu Gebremeohin (AET), Fr. Nguyen Vangia Cat Joseph (AGL), Fr. Ike Peace Francis (ANN), Fr. Odise Lazri (AFM), Fr. Njoku Augustin (ANN), and Fr. Fisuh Mesegene Zahlay (AET), Walter Kinanga Obiye (AFE).
The participants expressed gratitude for the rich formative experience and the practical tools gained for effective service as Rectors. They also thanked their respective Provincial Superiors for the confidence reposed in them and for granting them the opportunity to take part in this important stage of ongoing formation.
The programme reaffirmed the Salesian commitment to continuous formation and the preparation of leaders capable of animating communities according to the spirit of Don Bosco.
The Social Communication Department of ANN recently made a documentary on behalf of the Mission Department to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the missionary expedition of the first Salesians. This documentary-style interview, “Matriarchs Of The Mission: Becoming Catechists in the Spirit of Don Bosco,” follows the formation and commissioning of the first female catechists at the Marian Shrine, Akure: Catechist Victoria Oloba, Catechist Comfort Falusi, and Catechist Janet Kuduyo.
The video highlights their journey:
Early Beginnings and Inspiration
The catechists share how their Catholic upbringing and involvement in church activities, like being legionaries and Catholic teachers, inspired their path. They emphasize the impact of the Salesian style of teaching, especially its focus on young people, and their admiration for the Salesian priests, particularly the late Father Denso Marini.
Call to Catechesis and Training
The women recount how they were called to formalize their teaching roles by their parish priests, specifically late Father Vincenzo. They initially collaborated with the Salesians and were later sent for formal training at Okitupa training center, a process that involved learning church doctrine, sacraments, and general teachings.
Commissioning and Initial Reactions
Their commissioning as catechists was a significant day, described as a “graduation” and “convocation ceremony.” However, their new roles were met with mixed reactions, with some parishioners questioning if it was a suitable role for women.
Challenges Faced
They discuss the challenges, including a lack of acceptance from some male catechists and the surprise of many parishioners who were unaccustomed to female catechists. Some even mistook them for priests. They also mention dealing with envy and ignorance from others.
Impact and Balancing Life
Despite the challenges, they express joy in inspiring others, including priests, through their teachings. They discuss how they successfully balance their roles as catechists, mothers, and wives, ensuring their family responsibilities are met while serving the church. They also highlight their impact on resolving marital issues and fostering moral and cultural growth among both children and adults.
Vision for the Future and Challenges in Recruitment
The catechists emphasize their love for the youth and recount memorable experiences, such as a bicycle pilgrimage. They advise young people to view catechesis as a lifelong vocation and a calling to spread the gospel, much like Mother Mary. They express the challenge of recruiting younger women, who often cite issues like uniforms and time constraints. They are actively working to bring in new, younger faces, including young men and women, into the catechetical mission.
