TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:
1.THE MONTH OF MAY: Welcome to the month of May, 2026, a month in which we continue to celebrate the joys of the Easter Season, witness the glorious Ascension of our Lord, the fulfilment of His promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In this month, the Church specially draws attention to our Blessed Mother Mary, the Mother of the Risen Lord and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. We are enjoined to intensify our devotion to our Blessed Mother as the May devotion commences on the first day of the month. Let us all commit ourselves to daily recitation of the Holy Rosary this month; asking Our Lady’s maternal intercession for the Universal Church, our Archdiocese of Lagos, our personal intentions and in a special way for our country Nigeria. In the spirit of this month of Mary, we also celebrate the Feast of Mater Ecclesia, Patroness of our Archdiocese. Since she is our patroness, we received the indult to celebrate the feast on the Saturday before Pentecost i.e. 23rd May, 2026. In this month, we also celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (May 14th). This solemnity marks the day when Christians commemorate Our Lord’s glorious entry into heaven, body and soul. It is officially celebrated on the 40th day of Easter. The Ascension feast attests to the reality of the person of Jesus; true God and true man, returning to the Father in order to come again at the Second Coming. Our faith teaches us that meanwhile, He sits at the right hand of God the Father until He comes to judge the living and the dead. By the feast of the Ascension, may our eyes be turned towards heaven where our true treasure lies. Also in this month of May, we conclude the liturgical season of Easter with the Solemnity of the Pentecost (May 24th) and resume the Ordinary Time. And so our 50 days of Easter festivities comes to a close. Christ lives forever, the message and joy of Easter abides with us always.
2. POPE’S INTENTION FOR MAY 2026: That Everyone Might Have Food: Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food.
3.ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR MAY 2026: For the Lay Apostolate: We pray for the lay faithful to be formed as active apostles, bringing Christ’s spirit into politics, society and culture; may societies and organizations within the Church advance the kingdom of God without excluding anyone.