TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:
1. POPE’S INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY 2026: For Children with Incurable Diseases: Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.
2. ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY 2026: For the Sick: We pray for the sick and those seeking health of mind and body that God may grant them healing and cause them to rejoice in unfailing health. We also pray that caregivers and medical professionals may assist the sick in body and mind with Christ-like charity.
3. A FEW THOUGHTS ON LENT: As we begin the season of Lent, may I remind all of the following regarding the season:
a. Abstinence: All the faithful who have reached 14 years of age and above are required to abstain totally from meat or favorite dish or drink on Ash Wednesday (February 18) and Good Friday (April 3) and all the Fridays of Lent.
b. Fasting: All the faithful between the ages of 18 and 60 years are obliged to fast. In practice, fasting involves limiting oneself to a single full meal or two smaller meals a day. Those who are sick, pregnant or nursing or whose health would adversely be affected by fasting should not consider themselves bound by this norm.
c. Parents and teachers are responsible for helping young persons, who are not bound by the norms regarding fasting and abstinence to recognize the genuine sense in penance and selfdenial. We are required to also to pray fervently for the catechumens who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation during this period. Please find below some of the other ways we can observe this period of Lent so as to benefit from the graces of the season: i. Avoid Sin: Keep yourself away from all occasions that could lead to sin. Repent and return to God by a good sacramental confession and do appropriate penance if you fall into sin. ii. Practice self-control; be more generous especially in giving to the poor and needy and in contributing to the works of the church, remission of debts and payment of just wages. iii. Pursue and achieve reconciliation with anyone with whom you are not at peace. iv. Read the Scriptures in order to deepen your intimacy with God, spread the kingdom of Christ and help others to know and return to Christ. v. Pray before the Blessed Sacrament, go to Mass often, if possible, daily. vi. Be regular at the stations of the cross on Wednesdays and Fridays and do it every day if you can. 3 vii. Take part in the Lenten programmes and retreats that will be organised in your parish. Take full part in the Holy week ceremonies. viii. Pray your Rosary daily. Bear in mind that all other Fridays of the year remain Days of penance in prayerful remembrance of the passion of Jesus Christ.
4. LENTEN REFLECTIONS BY THE ARCHBISHOP: As has been the case in the last few years, the Archbishop, Alfred Adewale Martins will be offering Lenten reflections every day during the whole season. The reflections will be transmitted as follows: NTA CHANNEL 10: DSTV Channel 369 @ 6:55pm LUMEN CHRISTI: DSTV Channel 350 @ 1:00pm & 9:15pm RADIO: Metro 97.7FM @ 5:55am & 7:55pm All our Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram: Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos. Everyone is encouraged to tune in and listen to the reflections as we pray that the Word of God will nourish our souls. Amen.
5. ARCHDIOCESAN ENGAGEMENT FOR MISSION PROGRAMME (AEMP): The Archdiocesan Engagement for Mission Programme (AEMP) is geared at enhancing parish and lay group engagement, spiritual–commitment and evangelization. While it is required for formal leadership positions in the Archdiocese, it is a self-development programme with great personal benefits in all areas of life. All parishioners are encouraged to participate in parish organized AEMP topics and modules. Faith Formation Officers of Parish Lay Groups and the Leadership and Social Education and Discernment Laity Committees of Laity Councils can organize and implement Study Groups and Sessions using suitable resource persons. Parishioners can also participate through Self Study or Private Study Groups. Link to Support Resources Be assured of our support through the transition, click the link below for resources and guidance on how to navigate difficulties and challenges, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Check frequently as additional resources will be added as we go along. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Y1oIjKi5g65N72PKgvvMOElTauBq0P_p?usp=drive_lin k Success for the Archdiocesan Engagement for Mission Programme Prayer It is our prayer we realize our goals of spiritual-commitment and engagement and further spread the message of the kingdom of God our archdiocese and beyond. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Uo4a63cU9iqMTZBNA48JugsqKRmYMcrwfsY7PCwUvpc /edit?usp=sharing Supplementary First Term AEMP Registration Form We hereby present the chance to attain the minimum of four AEMP scores before the end of February by joining the ZOOM First term AEMP before February 14, 2026 or by participating in Parish Group or Self Study. Do well to contribute to propagation of God’s kingdom in our archdiocese. https://forms.gle/UvTJC4BQfNnfdAxVA Are you concerned you do not have enough AEMP-Qualified Leaders? ● The necessary requirements can be met in a maximum of two weeks. Use the link below to find the dates of quizzes and various modules. Scoring a minimum of a concessionary score of 60% on two quizzes earns you two AEMP scores! Participating in two weeks of Zoom Leadership OR Guidelines modules earns you another two AEMP scores! Four AEMP scores qualifies you to participate in the Parish elections, if you meet other criteria. ● It is also possible to study all the four Governance Guidelines by yourself and ace all the four quizzes and earn four AEMP scores First Term AEMP Modules and Quizzes Schedules Check here for dates of Module and Quizzes to help you plan to succeed: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y8wQNtwVbXR1ix8idcc8LfEEoDJaFJ1FfoMJ5G4 9tD4/edit?usp=sharing
6. ARCHDIOCESAN ELECTION GUIDELINES: Everyone knows by now that the Archdiocesan Election Guidelines for Lay associations and organizations in the Archdiocese was 5 promulgated since last year. The guidelines are still available using the following to access it https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-rj1Ah177F-n4BRn2N5jcX2XnEgpu5I/view?usp=sharing
7. 2026 LENTEN PILGRIMAGE: The 2026 Lenten pilgrimage comes up on the 7th of March, 2026 at the Ave Maria Catholic Church, Ikate by 9:00am. Parish Priests and Priests-in-charge should include this in their bulletins and sensitize their parishioners on the importance of the pilgrimage and the need for them to participate as part of their Lenten activities.
8. ADMISSION INTO LAGOS ARCHDIOCESAN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS: This is to inform our parents that admission into Basic 7 (JSS 1) for the 2026/2027 academic session in all Catholic Secondary Schools in the Archdiocese of Lagos is in progress. The Entrance Examination comes up on Saturday, 14th March, 2026 at the schools. Forms can be obtained at the school of choice, all Catholic Primary Schools in the Archdiocese, selected parishes and electronically on examcentre.ng or on any of the following 10 Catholic Archdiocesan Secondary Schools’ websites: 1. St Gregory College, South-West, Ikoyi http://www.stgregoryscollege.ng 2. Holy Child Girls College, Ikoyi http://www.holychildcollegeswikoyi.org 3. St Finbarr College, Akoka http://www.stfinbarrscollegeakoka.com 4. St Kizito College, Iju-Ishaga http://stkizitocollege.com 5. Mater Ecclesiae College, Epe http://www.materecclesiaecollege.com 6. Sacred Heart College, Apapa http://www.sacredheartcollegeapapa.com.ng 7. Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School, Maryland http://www.mcssmaryland.org 8. Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba http://www.olassyaba.sch.ng 9. Marywood Girls College, Ebute-Metta http://www.marywoodgc-lagos.org 10. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic College, Okokomaiko http://stthomascollegeng.org Sale of forms will close one week to the date of examination. Let us give our children the holistic advantages that Catholic education offers!