In continuity with the spiritual vision of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, who affirms that “our only vocation is to do the will of God in our lives,” the Redemptorist Lay Partners of the Vice-Province of Nigeria assembled from across the country for their annual Assembly from 12 to 15 March 2026 at the Redemptorist Spirituality Centre, Liguori House, Ibadan. The Assembly, held under the theme “Missionary Presence in a Changing World,” was shaped by the General Government’s designation of 2026 as the Year of Leadership and by the ongoing reconfiguration toward the West African zone. These provided both the theological orientation and structural trajectory for the gathering.
Participants, drawn from the Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer (LMMHR), Redemptorist Oblates, Confraternity of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (COMPH), League of St. Gerard Majella (LSG), Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry (RYVM), Friends of the Redemptorists (FOREDS), Redemptorist Partners Network (RPN), Redemptorist Alumni Network (RAN), and other collaborators, assembled as pilgrims of hope to renew their missionary commitment amid the realities of secularisation, digital fragmentation, and moral relativism, particularly as these affect families and youth.
The Assembly commenced on Thursday, 12 March, with arrival, registration, and allocation of accommodation, followed by a guided tour of Redeemer and Liguori Houses. The welcome Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Rev. Fr. Kingsley Ebodaghe, C.Ss.R., Secretary of the Vice-Province, assisted by Rev. Fr. Temitope Benedict Adu, C.Ss.R. Delegates were formally welcomed, and the day concluded with a fraternal Gaudeamus, fostering interaction and communal bonding.
Friday, 13 March, began with physical and spiritual preparation, including recollection, confessions, and Eucharistic devotion. The Opening Mass was celebrated by the Vice-Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Michael C. Emerue, C.Ss.R., who officially declared the Assembly open. Other concelebrants were Rev. Fr. Godwin Abbah, C.Ss.R., Second Consultor of the Vice-Province, and Rev. Fr. Kingsley Ebodaghe, C.Ss.R., Chancellor and Secretary of the Vice Province, Rev. Fr. Pius D. Oyeniyi, C.Ss.R, Director of Icon Visitation Team., Rev. Fr. Vincent Ezezue, C.Ss.R, National Chaplain, Confraternity of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Rev. Fr. Temitope Benedict Adu, C.Ss.R, National Chaplain, Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry, and Rev. Fr. Peter Onyeno, C.Ss.R, General Coordinator and National Chaplain, League of St Gerard Majella, all of whom participated actively in the liturgical and pastoral dimensions of the Assembly.
The formal opening ceremony, coordinated by Mr. Reginald and Mrs. Dooshima, featured the welcome address of the Chairperson of the Commission for Shared Mission, Lady Judith Agu. Her address provided a prophetic interpretation of contemporary realities, identifying the increasing rejection of Christianity, the resurgence of syncretistic tendencies among youth often mediated through social media and the normalization of moral relativism. Nevertheless, she articulated a theology of hope, urging participants to proclaim the Gospel anew in the spirit of St. Clement Mary Hofbauer and to “stand out” as authentic lay collaborators in the shared Redemptorist mission.
The review of the 2025 Assembly Communiqué revealed significant progress, particularly in youth ministry, identified as central to the Redemptorist mission to the “most abandoned.” Achievements included Redemptorist-run Parish Youth fiesta, hosting of the RYVM COREAM Assembly in Nigeria, the establishment of RYVM Abeokuta (with inauguration projected for May 2026), and sustained formation programmes such as retreats, recollections, business webinars, and digital catechesis on the Holy Mass, engaging over 100 young people. Institutional consolidation was also evident in the successful national elections of the League of St. Gerard Majella, the formation of an interim national structure for FOREDS, and the appointment of a national chaplain for COMPH by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. Formation across all groups was deepened through emphasis on the four pillars of Redemptorist spirituality: devotion to the Passion of Christ, Eucharistic centrality, Marian devotion, and abandonment to the divine will.
The Assembly engaged contemporary challenges through the first major paper delivered by Rev. Fr. Godfrey Udeh, C.Ss.R., titled “Depression in the Digital Age: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health.” He analysed the Digital Age within the trajectory of technological evolution and examined depression as a major global health concern. Particular attention was given to “digital depression,” driven by factors such as sleep disruption, cyberbullying, toxic comparison, addiction, fear of missing out, diminished attention span, and validation culture. The consequences ranging from anxiety and reduced productivity to superficial relationships and vulnerability to self-harm were situated within the Redemptorist concern for youth as the “most abandoned.”
The second paper, presented by Rev. Fr. Godwin Abbah, C.Ss.R., addressed “Restructuring of the Redemptorist Congregation: Role of Lay Collaborators and the Future of the Mission.” He emphasised that the emerging West African Province requires deeper collaboration, shared resources, and expanded missionary outreach. Each lay group was assigned concrete apostolic responsibilities aligned with the Redemptorist charism. A further session by Rev. Christopher Iwuore, C.Ss.R., and Rev. Pedro Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R., deepened understanding of the four pillars of Redemptorist spirituality and their practical application. The day concluded with the Stations of the Cross, confessions, and communal fellowship.
Saturday, 14 March, focused on spiritual identity and leadership formation. Lady Judith Agu’s presentation, “A Model Redemptorist: Emulating St. Gerard Majella,” highlighted the enduring relevance of the Fifteen Commandments of a True Redemptorist, presenting them as an antidote to contemporary superficiality. Testimonies of faith further enriched the session.
This was followed by the presentation and adoption of the 2025 activity reports by all lay groups. The final paper of the day was presented by the Vice-Provincial Superior, Very Rev. Fr. Michael C. Emerue, C.Ss.R., on “Year of Leadership: Missionary Presence in a Changing World,” where he examined contemporary challenges such as relativism, moral confusion, and the erosion of sacred values, the embrace of celebrities over God; shallow over depth in both the spiritual and academic life. In the face of these, he then called for leadership rooted in Christ, service, sacrifice, and integrity.
Breakout sessions enabled participants to identify challenges to Christian life and leadership, including secularism, misinformation, factionalism, and inadequate formation. Corresponding solutions emphasised catechesis, digital evangelisation, servant leadership, transparency, unity, and moral renewal. Action points were subsequently articulated for each group, focusing on missionary expansion, formation, family spirituality, social outreach, and digital engagement.
The Communiqué, presented by the Redaction committee, summarised the resolutions of the Assembly, while expressions of appreciation were extended to the Vice-Provincial Superior, members of the Council, the attending priests and chaplains, coordinators, and all collaborators.
The Assembly also included significant fraternal and apostolic engagements: a visit to the Dominican Sisters’ convent, a tour of Redeemer House, and devotional visits to the grottos of St. Gerard and Our Lady. The Feast Day Mass of St. Clement Hofbauer, celebrated in cultural attire, highlighted the unity and diversity of the Assembly and was followed by a festive celebration. The Assembly concluded on Sunday, 15 March, with the Closing Mass, followed by departure and an outreach visit to the Obi Jackson Foundation, where delegates engaged in acts of charity to the sick and persons with disabilities.
In sum, the 2026 Assembly constituted a genuine kairos of renewal. Participants returned to their apostolates strengthened by the spiritual heritage of St. Gerard Majella and St. Clement Hofbauer, guided by the leadership vision of the Vice-Province, and equipped to confront contemporary challenges. In a rapidly changing world, Redemptorist lay collaborators in Nigeria have recommitted themselves not merely to presence but to distinctive missionary witness as living icons of the Most Holy Redeemer, proclaiming copiosa redemptio with fidelity, humility, and evangelical courage.
Fr. Peter Chijioke Onyeno, CSsR.
Director of Media and Communications,
Redemptorist Vice Province of Nigeria
