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 AUGUST: I cordially welcome you all to the month of August, 2026.
This month reminds us of the blessing it is to witness to Christ in our daily lives
and in the face of opposition and challenges. This blessing is evident in the Feasts we
celebrate this month. We encounter the examples of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a
host of Saints who demonstrate to us what true happiness entails. True happiness is
not necessarily the absence of tribulations, it is rather the mystical fusion of a soul
with God. As such, even while experiencing the trials of this present life, one would
have already entered into God and therefore cannot but count the blessings of God
who has made all things possible. The month of August also presents us with these
significant celebrations in the life of the Church; Feast of the Transfiguration of Our
Lord Jesus Christ (6th August), St. Alphonsus Ligouri (1st August), St. John Mary
Vianney (4th August), St. Dominic (8th August), St. Lawrence (10th August), St.
Clare (11th August), St. Maximilian Kolbe (14th August), Solemnity of the
Assumption of Our Blessed Virgin Mary (15th August) St. Bernard (20th August) St.
Pius X (21st August), Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (22nd August), St.
Monica (27th August), St. Augustine of Hippo (28th August), Martyrdom of John the
Baptist (29th August).
- POPE’S INTENTION FOR AUGUST 2026: For Evangelization in the City: Let us
pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways
to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community. - ARCHBISHOP’S INTENTION FOR AUGUST 2026: For Widows, Widowers and
Single Parents: We pray that God the source of all consolation would look with mercy
upon widows, widowers, and single parents. May God help widows and widowers to
embrace perfect continence and surround single parents with the tenderness of a
mother’s affection and a father’s security to enable a proper nurturing of children. - ON OUR COLLECTIVE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS OUR
COUNTRY: As our Nation approaches the elections, the Church urges every eligible
citizen to obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) and exercise their civic
responsibility by going out to vote peacefully, freely, and according to a well-formed
conscience. Democracy cannot flourish when good people remain indifferent or
absent from the process that shapes their future. Let no one sell their vote, surrender
their conscience, or allow fear, ethnicity, religion, money, or political pressure to
determine their choice. Rather, let each voter carefully discern and support candidates
whose lives, character, competence, integrity, and commitment to the common good
inspire confidence. To vote is not merely a civic duty; it is a moral responsibility and
an act of stewardship toward the nation we hope to leave to future generations. - Archdiocesan Novena for the Solemnity of the Assumption: The Archdiocesan
Novena comes up from Thursday 6th August to Friday 14th August, 2026 at the
Archdiocesan Marian Shrine, Maryland. The theme for this year’s Novena is ”Mary
Assumed into Heaven: A journey of Humility, Peace and Obedience to the will of
God A great sign appeared in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun…Rev.
12:1”.Time: 4:30pm daily. - Singles’ Day & Lunch with the Archbishop: This Archdiocesan Programme
planned by the Directorate of the Catholic Lay Apostolate in conjunction with the
Archdiocesan body of the Divine Mercy Devotion will come up as follows: Theme:
Marriage to a Non-Catholic and the Implications for My Catholic Faith Date:
Saturday, 22nd August, 2026 Venue: Christ the King Catholic Church Ilasamaja,
Surulere Deanery Time: 10:00am starting with the Holy Mass. - EUCHARISTIC DAY 2026: The faithful of the Archdiocese are cordially invited
to participate in the Eucharistic Day, a monthly spiritual programme held every last
Saturday of the month, dedicated to deepening devotion to the Holy Eucharist
through prayer, formation, and worship. Venue: Mater Ecclesiae Monastery,
Sangotedo, Lagos Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Programme Highlights: ● Eucharistic
Adoration ● Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) ● Counselling and Vocational
Discernment ● International Exhibition of Eucharistic Miracles of the World ●
Conference on the Eucharist and Saint Carlo Acutis by Rev. Msgr. Paschal
Nwaezeapu ● Holy Mass This monthly gathering offers the faithful a unique
opportunity to grow in love for the Eucharist, experience God’s mercy through the
Sacrament of Reconciliation, and reflect on the inspiring witness of Saint Carlo
Acutis, whose devotion to the Eucharist continues to inspire Catholics around the
world. “The Eucharist is the highway to Heaven.” – St. Carlo Acutis All priests,
religious, and lay faithful are warmly encouraged to attend and participate actively.