BY AJIFA J. HARANA, LOKOJA – The Parish Priest of Archangels Catholic Church, Lokoja, Rev, Fr. Bernard Ologunagba has admonished Nigerians to use the Lenten season to pray for divine healing for the nation towards restoration of peace.
Fr. Ologunagba, who gave the admonition while speaking with our correspondent in Lokoja after the Ash Wednesday Mass, which marks the beginning of Lent, stressed the importance of maintaining a positive outlook about the country.
Ologunagba particularly urged Nigerians to pray for God’s intervention regarding issues of injustice, corruption, kidnapping, and banditry.
He also tasked citizens to pray and seek the transformation of those responsible for the turmoil affecting the nation.
Speaking on the significance of Ash Wednesday, the cleric noted that it marked the commencement of a 40-day spiritual journey characterized by abstinence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Fr. Ologunagba emphasized that the season calls for humility, total surrender to God, acknowledgment of personal sins, and a reminder of the transient nature of life.
The Parish Priest of Archangels also underscored the importance of forgiveness and love for one’s neighbours during Lent, and urged Nigerians to eliminate anything that might hinder their spiritual growth and access to the kingdom of God.
