YOU MUST EXERCISE YOUR OFFICE Bishop: Odetoyinbo tells newly installed Lectors
By Oshunsanya Paul
The seminary of St Albert the Great celebrated another huge landmark event in her history as seventeen of her seminarians were installed as Lectors on Monday, 15th November, 2021, the feast day of St. Albert the Great, her patron saint. The double celebration began with the Holy Mass presided by the Local Ordinary of Abeokuta Diocese, Most Rev. Peter Odetoyinbo, with some members of the Friends of St. Albert the Great Seminary (FOSAGS) in attendance.
In his homily, the Bishop, on behalf of the Bishops of the three ecclesiastical provinces of Lagos, Ibadan, and Benin-City, expressed his gratitude to the formation team for the good work they are doing. He challenged all present, most especially the newly installed Lectors, to emulate the example of St. Albert the Great who mastered the sciences with a strong faith and without losing focus. The Church “made him a Doctor of the Church because he fulfilled the laid down conditions. He searched for God, found Him in everything and lived a life pleasing to God”. He emphasized further that “what you received today is not a status, rather it is an office and you must exercise this office wherever you find yourself.”
In his remark before the final benediction, the Rector of the Seminary, Rev. Fr. Anselm Ekhelar, expressed his sense of gratitude on behalf of the Seminary Community to the Bishop for his presence. He thanked the FOSAGS members present for their sacrifices and reminded the Lectors that they are at a critical stage of their journey, urging them to be conscious of their office and not lose focus as they draw closer to their diaconate and priestly ordinations. All present gathered for lunch after the Holy Mass, where the Seminarians coloured the day with different and interesting presentations.
