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 SEPTEMBER: With hearts full of gratitude to God, we welcome the month of September, the ninth month of the year and the month that brings the third quarter of the year to a close. As we enter the final stretch of the year, the “ember” months invite us to pause, look back with gratitude, and examine the progress we have made in all sincerity, not only in our personal and family lives, but especially in our relationship with God and our Christian vocation and mission.
September is also a month rich in celebrations that draw our attention to the mystery of our salvation. On 8 September, we celebrate the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose birth points to the dawn of the fulfilment of God’s plan of salvation. On 14 September, we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is particularly significant for us as the patronal feast of the Archdiocese of Lagos. The Cross reminds us that our salvation came through the self-giving love of Christ. As St. Paul tells us, through the Cross, Christ destroyed the hostility that separated humanity and reconciled us to God, making us one in Him (Cf. Eph. 2:16). As we celebrate our patronal feast, may we renew our commitment to live the message of the Cross through sacrificial love, forgiveness, unity and service to one another.
2. POPE’S INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER 2026: For the care of water: Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.
3. ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR SEPTEMBER 2026: For Leaders and those in Government: We pray that the hearts of our leaders and those in government may be guided by the Holy Spirit to work more assiduously for the good of the citizens, satisfying their aspirations for good governance and the common good.
4.ARCHBISHOP MARTINS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS: With the vision of reaching the Church in the digital space, Our Archbishop, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has flagged off his social media accounts. We are all encouraged to key into this platform of evangelization by praying, following, sharing, and connecting with His Grace on:
* X (Twitter): @AlfredA.Martins,
* Instagram: @AlfredAdewaleMartins, * YouTube: +AlfredAdewaleMartins
* Facebook: AlfredAdewaleMartins,
* TikTok: +AlfredA. Martins. In the same light, we are also invited to follow, subscribe and journey with our Archdiocese on her Social Media platforms on:
* X (Twitter): @Lag_archdiocese
* Instagram: lag_archdiocese
* YouTube: Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos
* Facebook: Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos
* TikTok: @arcdioceseoflagosor good governance and the common good.
5. Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross: This Feast comes up on Saturday, 14th September, 2024. This is the Principal Feast Day of our Archdiocese. We are encouraged to contemplate the Cross of Christ as the supreme sign of God’s love and our hope of salvation.
6. 43rd Priestly Ordination Anniversary of the Archbishop: The Archdiocese joyfully celebrates the 43rd Priestly Ordination Anniversary of our Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, Rev. Msgri. Edmund Akpala, Jerome Oduntan and Very Rev. Fr. Alphonsus Ania which comes up on Friday, 18th September 2026. We give thanks to God for the gift of their priestly ministry and invite all the faithful to join in praying for God’s continued grace, strength, wisdom and good health as they faithfully serve God, His Church and the people.
7. Archdiocesan Rosary Procession for Peace and Security in Nigeria: The faithful across the Archdiocese are invited to join the Archdiocesan Rosary Procession for Peace and Security in Nigeria, as we unite in prayer and reparation, seeking the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for peace, security, and the protection of our nation. The procession will commence at the National Stadium, Surulere, and end at the Marian Shrine, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland. Date: Thursday, 1st October 2026, Time: 7:30 a.m. All parishioners are encouraged to participate in this important prayer gathering and to respond generously to Mary’s call to prayer and reparation for peace in Nigeria.
8. World Mission Sunday 2026: The World Mission Sunday 2026 will be celebrated on Sunday, 18th October 2026, under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission.” The celebration marks 100 Years of World Mission Sunday and features the Pople’s Message for the occasion. All the faithful are encouraged to participate actively and support the Church’s missionary efforts through prayer and generous contributions. There is a special collection scheduled for that day and we are expected to do something extra to mark the 100th anniversary. With the