World Day of Consecrated Life: Archbishop Martins Urges Catholics To Be Beacons of Hope

By Fr. MICHAEL NSIKAK UMOH

As the World Day of Consecrated Life is celebrated globally by the Catholic Church, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of the Archdiocese of Lagos has urged consecrated men and women to be beacons of hope in a world filled with uncertainty and despair.

In a message to consecrated persons working in his Archdiocese, the prelate, within the context of the Jubilee year of Hope declared by the Holy Father, emphasised the importance of hope in their lives and apostolates. “Hope is the anchor of the soul,” he said, quoting St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Highlighting the importance of consecrated persons in the life of the Church, Archbishop Martins exhorted, “You are the present and the future. You are the present currently taking part in the lives of your various congregations. You are the future of your congregation as you would take on the mantle of leadership and formation of those coming after you.”

The Archbishop acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by consecrated persons, including spiritual struggles, physical exhaustion, and criticism from the world. However, he encouraged them to hold onto hope, trusting in God’s promises and presence in their lives.

To underscore the critical role that consecrated persons play in bringing hope and light to a world in need, the Archbishop added, “A whole world awaits you – men and women who have lost all hope in life, broken homes that are lacking in love, families in difficulty, hungry and abandoned children, young people without a future, the elderly, sick and abandoned … your witnessing can bring hope to these and help them journey to Christ.”

The Prelate also emphasised the importance of consecrated life as a gift to the Church, reminding all consecrated persons that their witness to the Gospel values of poverty, chastity, and obedience is a powerful reminder to the world of the importance of living a life of service and dedication to God.

The Metropolitan of the See of Lagos concluded his message by thanking consecrated persons working in his Archdiocese for their tireless work and contribution to the growth and development of the Archdiocese, and commended them to the maternal intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The World Day of Consecrated Life is celebrated annually on February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. There are 247 priests who are members of male religious congregations and 326 female religious from 27 congregations contributing immensely to the spiritual, pastoral and social fabric of the Archdiocese of Lagos. Lagos Archdiocese currently has 229 parishes spread across 20 Deaneries.