TO ALL PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS WORKING IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS, AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:
- THE MONTH OF JANUARY:
We take down our Christmas decorations and enter into the liturgical period known as the Ordinary Time of the Year during which we devote ourselves to the mystery of Christ in its entirety. The liturgical colour changes from white to green — a symbol of the hope of reaping the eternal harvest of heaven, the hope of a glorious resurrection.
In this month we also celebrate:
Ss. Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen (January 2nd),
The Most Holy Name of Jesus (January 3rd),
St. Raymond Penyafort (January 7th),
St. Hilary (January 13th),
St. Anthony the Abbot (January 17th),
Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi (January 20th),
St. Agnes (January 21st),
St. Vincent (January 22nd),
St. Francis de Sales (January 24th),
The Conversion of St. Paul (January 25th),
St. Angela Merici (January 27th),
St. Thomas Aquinas (January 28th),
St. John Bosco (January 31st).
- ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR JANUARY 2026:
For Peace in the World: We pray for peace in our world, especially in our country Nigeria and among warring countries, that leaders may strive towards achieving peace in troubled parts. We equally pray for peace for families and individuals affected by war, insurgency, and banditry.
- SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD (Sunday, 25th January 2026):
We recall that on September 30, 2019, the late Holy Father Pope Francis established the 3rd Sunday in the Ordinary Time each year as the SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD. With the letter, Aperuit Illis, the Church invites all Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and His Word. That day is to be observed as a special day devoted to the celebration, study and dissemination of the Word of God. The celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God for this year comes up on Sunday 25th January, 2026.
On this day, all parishes in the Archdiocese shall have the Enthronement of the Word of God. Hence, we direct that all priests should begin to sensitize the faithful about this special Sunday and the prominence of the Word of God in the Life of the Christian. The Rite of Enthronement of the Bible shall be used. You will notice that the rite is embedded in the Mass of the day and it gives prominence to the Word of God. The Bible remains enthroned until Tuesday, 17th February, 2026 the day before Ash Wednesday.
- 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, 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.
- 28th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of the Archbishop:
The 28th Episcopal Ordination Anniversary of our dear Archbishop comes up on Saturday, 24th January, 2026. Let us remember him in our prayers on this special day. 5 h. Celebration of Consecrated Life: The Annual celebration of Consecrated Life comes up Monday, 2nd February, 2026. The venue is: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Amuwo-Odofin. Time: 10:00am.
- 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’s 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
Sales of forms will close one week to the date of examination.
Let us give our children the holistic advantages that Catholic education offers.
Application for Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation Scholarship: We wish to inform all interested applicants that the Application Form for the Anthony Cardinal Okogie Foundation Scholarship can be obtained from the Archdiocesan Website. Applicants are requested to click on the following link: http://www.lagosarchdiocese.org/down/g14.pdf to download the forms, fill and submit them to the Chancery.