It was a period of learning, refreshment, and spiritual reawakening as the Redemptorist Vice Province of Nigeria convened a formative and inaugural program for the newly elected National Executives of the League of St. Gerard Majella, Nigeria, from 12 to 14 February 2026, at Redemptorist Renewal and Spirituality Centre, Liguori House, Ibadan. This initiative, designed as a formative and renewal exercise, aimed to further deepen the Leadership of the League into the Redemptorist charism of Copiosa Apud Eum Redemptio (With Him there is Plentiful Redemption) and to equip them for effective lay missionary service within the contemporary Nigerian ecclesial context while maintaining their unique spirituality as devotees of St Gerard Majella.
The program commenced on Thursday, 12 February, with the arrival of the newly elected national executives from across the country, and the National Promoter of the League of St Gerard Majella, Nigeria, Revd Fr. Onyeno, Peter Chijioke, CSsR. Also present at the program were Very Revd Fr. Noel Elshikena, CSsR, the Vicar of the Vice Province, who represented the Vice Provincial Superior, Very Revd Fr Michael Emerue, CSsR, Very Revd Fr. Godwin Abbah, CSsR, the Second Consultor of the Vice Province, Very Revd Fr. Kinsgley Ebodaghe, CSsR, the Chancellor of the Vice Province, and Revd Bro. Simeon Okafor, CSsR.
On Friday, 13 February, there were series of structured scholarly presentations delivered by prominent Redemptorists who have served at different capacities in the Vice Province. Fr. Noel Eshikena, CSsR, presented two sessions: “Holiness in the Ordinary: The Simplicity of St. Gerard,” which examined the life and spirituality of St. Gerard Majella, emphasizing his Eucharistic devotion, humility, obedience, concern for the marginalized, and patronage of expectant mothers and family life, and “Not Just Devotion, But Mission,” which defined the League’s identity as a Redemptorist-inspired lay collaborators who share in the mission of the Congregation of preaching plentiful redemption to the poor and most abandoned. He further emphasized that the members of the League, in imitation of St Gerard Majella, should have the following: strong Eucharistic and Marian Devotions, favourable disposition towards charity, and moral integrity.
Fr. Kingsley S. Ebhodaghe, CSsR, addressed “Collaborators in the Mission of the Redeemer,” elucidating historical and theological dimensions of lay collaboration within the Redemptorist congregation. Speaking on “Why the League Matters Now More Than Ever,” he enunciated that families in Nigeria are faced with pressing socio-moral challenges: familial disintegration, secular influences, and youth disorientation. In the face of these obvious crises, the League of St Gerard Majella is charged with the dignified responsibility of fostering authentic Christian family values, advocacy for unborn life, and parish spiritual renewal.
Fr. Godwin A. Abbah, CSsR, provided structural clarity in “Understanding Our Structure,” outlining the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer’s global governance structure, Conference of Africa and Madagascar (COREAM) linkages, Vice-Provincial administration, and the appropriate integration of lay associations to promote institutional coherence and accountability.
These sessions were complemented by interactive group discussions exploring strategies for enhancing the League’s missionary orientation in local parishes and reflecting on its ecclesial significance in the absence of such a movement. The day’s activities concluded with a solemn Eucharist celebration presided by Very Revd Fr. Noel Elshikena, and concelebrated by Very Revd Fr. Godwin Abbah, CSsR, Very Revd Fr. Kingsley Ebodaghe, CSsR, and Revd Fr. Onyeno, Peter Chijioke, CSsR, at 18:00, during which the new National Executive of the League of St Gerard Majella, Nigeria, were duly and prayerfully inaugurated. In his homily, Revd Fr. Godwin Abbah, CSsR, charged the new national executive to follow the example of St Gerard Majella in his life of prayer, simplicity, obedience, service, and childlike trust in Divine Providence. was formally inaugurated, signifying their covenantal commitment to leadership animated by renewed apostolic zeal.
After the Sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist on Saturday, 14 February, the newly inaugurated Nation Executives of the League of St Gerard Majella, Nigeria, departed to their various homes better equipped to carry out their mission of being authentic disciples of St Gerard Majella. This event constitutes a significant moment in the ongoing formation of Redemptorist lay associates in Nigeria, reinforcing the League’s vocation as collaborative partners in the Redeemer’s mission and equipping its national leadership to model authentic lay discipleship amid prevailing cultural and pastoral exigencies.
Fr. Peter Chijioke Onyeno, CSsR.
Director of Media and Comms,
Redemptorist Vice Province of Nigeria
