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The Catholic Diocese of Oyo gathered on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Isokun, Oyo, to celebrate their 28th Diocesan Harvest which was themed; HARVEST MASS OF THANKSGIVING FOR ANSWERED PRAYERS. The joyous event brought together priests, parishioners, and dignitaries from the five deaneries (Oyo, Ijio, Ogbomosho, Saki, and Iseyin) within the diocese.

Just at the beginning of the Holy Mass, the Chief Shepherd of the Diocese, Most Rev. Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo asserted that the Harvest Thanksgiving of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo is a collective celebration inclusive of everyone at home and abroad.

In his homily, Rev. Fr. Anthony Abegunde emphasized the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving, reflecting on the theme “Harvest Mass of Thanksgiving for Answered Prayers.” He highlighted God’s countless blessings and faithfulness to the diocese, citing its remarkable growth: “From humble beginnings with just 10 priests, our diocese has grown to have 60 indigenous priests, 4 male religious, 58 female religious, 33 seminarians countless of marriages blessed.”

Despite Nigeria’s challenges of high cost of living, incessant killings, insecurity, a pocket of violence among others, Fr Abegunde encouraged the Distinguished guests of honour and the people of God not to allow all of those to disturb or hinder them from being generous enough towards church development and gospel spreading which remain the essence of the Harvest Thanksgiving.

He further encouraged the youths not to ever give up but remain courageous in living their faith by being more deliberate and conscious in sharing the word of God among their peers.

Immediately after the Holy Communion, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ogundipe gave the harvest blessing. Distinguished guests, including royal heads, justices, and prominent personalities then proceeded to making donations to support the diocese.

Bishop Badejo in his address titled, GIVE THANKS STILL; GOD IS INNOCENT AND HE IS GOOD! OYO DIOCESAN HARVEST IN THE YEAR OF PRAYER encouraged people to change their perspective on gratitude, especially during challenging times. He emphasized God’s goodness, benevolence, and unfailing love, stressing that thanksgiving is a spiritual exercise for the living.

All of these, he said, are the essence of harvest as a spiritual exercise for whoever is still living and looks to the past in the present and give thanks to God in order to receive more blessings in the future.

Bishop Badejo regarded the harvest as thanksgiving for answered prayers and therefore in that regard, expressed gratitude to the guests and prayed for God’s reward on their generosity. He concluded with the golden words of Pope St. John Paul II: “Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. Look forward to the future with confidence.”

Felicia Ajolayo BABAJIDE