It was a beautiful moment of renewal, sharing, and witnessing for all the Lay Collaborators of the Redemptorist Vice-Province of Nigeria as they had their Lay Collaborators Assembly from 13th to 16th of March 2025in Liguori House, Ibadan. The theme of the Assembly was “THE REDEMPTORIST MISSION, A FAMILY MISSION,” the following were the participants: Confraternity of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, League of St Gerard Majella, Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry (RYVM), Friends of Redemptorists (FOREDS), Association of Former Redemptorist Students, Oblates of Redemptorist and Redemptorist Partners Network (RPN). Vice Provincial Superior, Very Rev Fr Michael Emerue, CSsR, the Vicar of the Vice Province, Very Rev Fr Noel Eshikena, CSsR, the Second Consultor, Very Rev Fr Godwin Abbah, CSsR and Chancellor of the Vice Province, Very Rev Fr Kingsley Ebodaghe, CSsR, Rev Fr Vincent Ezezue, CSsR, Rev Fr Pius Oyeniyi, CSsR, Rev Fr Benedict Adu, CSsR, and the Chairperson of Lay Partners Commission, Lady Judith Agu, were all present. Towards the close of the mass, the Superior of Liguori House Community, Rev Fr William Ikre, CSsR, welcomed the delegates and wished all a happy stay.
The next day, the Vice Provincial Superior, Very Rev Michael Emerue, CSsR, declared the Assembly open. The opening address was given by the Chairperson of the Lay Partners Commission, Lady Judith Agu, during which she thanked God for the safe arrival of all the participants, thanked the leadership of the Vice Province for organizing the Assembly, and urged the participants to use the opportunity to build a stronger bond with other groups under the Redemptorist Family. After the address, the Vicar of the Vice Province, Very Rev Fr Noel, Eshikena, CSsR, read the message from the Superior General, Very Rev Fr Rogerio Gomez, CSsR,. After the message of the Superior General, video messages from Very Rev Fr. Kelvin Zubel, CSsR, the Provincial Superior of Denver Province and the coordinator of the Conference of Redemptorist for Africa and Madagascar (COREAM), Fr. Noel Sottima, CSsR were then played.
The Vice Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Michael Emerue CSsR, presented a paper on “The Redemptorist Mission, A Family Mission,” during which he elucidated the idea of family within the Redemptorist context and mission taking a cue from 1Cor 12: 12-27 – though many, one body. He also used the analogy of creation story to elucidate the ‘company’ we form as a big family. The participants were reminded that as Lay Missionaries, they share in the Redemptorist character of to making people feel comfortable around them. After the presentation, the participants were divided into five groups for a breakout session: to respond to the abandoned of today. After the group discussions and presentations, the Assembly, through a vote, identified the Youths, Children and the Physically challenged as the most abandoned in our time and proposed different means of reaching out to them. Thereafter the different groups gave reports on their activities in 2024 and 2025.
On the third day of the Assembly, the Chairperson of the Lay Partners’ Commission, Lady Judith Agu, presented a paper on “Obedience as a Prerequisite for Building a Family Mission (Emulating St Clement). Citing instances in the Sacred Scriptures and the teaching and lifestyle of St Clement, she emphasized that Obedience is a necessary condition for meaningful collaboration in the Mission. The Second Consultor of the Vice Province, Very Rev Fr Godwin Abbah, CSsR, made a presentation on “Building A Model Partnership/Collaboration- The Essence of Partnership.” He explained that following St Clement’s model is a necessity for the Mission of the Most Holy Redeemer. Following this, he listed the following as pillars of collaboration: mutual respect and shared responsibility, commitment to a common goal through evangelization and socialization, involvement in the ministry by being not just a supporter but co-missioners, and ongoing formation and growth through mentoring. He also highlighted the St Clement Model of Lay Collaboration: Spiritual formation, Education and evangelization, Social Mission and Charity, and Financial and Logistical support. The session ended with the presentation of the First Draft of the Communique to the Assembly.
The participants embarked on a Charity Visit and Tour of the city of Ibadan. Upon their arrival from the visitation, the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass for the Feast of St Clement was celebrated in the evening. In his homily, the Vice Provincial cautioned that the idea we have of success often motivates our actions, and if we use the ‘world’s understanding,’ Clement may be seen as failure. He implored all to rather follow the quote of Mother Theresa, which says we are called to be faithful not successful, and Clement in his life was faithful to his Redemptorist call. The Assembly was declared close at the mass by the Vice Provincial. After the Sunday Mass the next day, the participants departed for their own destinations.
Peter, CSsR.
