Catholic Diocese of Osogbo Hosts Special Marriage and Family Life Training at St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Ede

Ede, Osun State – April 30, 2025 – The Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, through its Marriage, Family and Human Life Commission, today flagged off Phase 1 of its Special Marriage and Family Life Training Programme at the St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Ede, Osun State. The theme of this phase is “Matrimony as a Sacrament of Christian Ministry and Service.”

The programme is part of a broader diocesan initiative to promote marriage and family life as key instruments of mission and evangelization in the Church and society at large.

Opening Session

The event commenced with a rosary prayer at the chapel, uniting all registered couples and coordinators in a moment of spiritual reflection and devotion. Immediately after the prayer, Rev. Fr. Patrick Ajayi, who serves as the Diocesan Chaplain of the Marriage, Family and Human Life Commission, formally welcomed the couples on behalf of the Diocese. He thanked them for making time to invest in their marital vocation and encouraged them to remain open to God’s word throughout the programme.

Following Fr. Ajayi’s address, Dr. Paul Oyebiyi gave a brief but heartfelt welcome on behalf of the planning team and the Bishop of the Diocese. He reiterated the Church’s commitment to strengthening Christian families as the bedrock of both faith and society.

Hospitality and Fellowship

Participants were then led to the hospitality section where they were treated to a warm meal, fostering a sense of community and fellowship among the attending couples. The atmosphere was one of joy, connection, and shared purpose, as couples interacted with one another ahead of the lectures.

Lecture Highlights

The main lecture session took place in the conference hall, where Rev. Fr. Patrick Ajayi delivered an insightful and thought-provoking teaching on the sacrament of matrimony. He began by reminding couples that marriage is not merely a social contract but a divine calling to serve—both in the domestic Church (the home) and within the wider Christian community.

In his lecture, Fr. Ajayi explained that the seven sacraments of the Church are traditionally grouped into three categories:

1. Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation
2. Sacraments of Healing – Reconciliation (Confession) and Anointing of the Sick
3. Sacraments of Christian Service – Holy Orders and Matrimony

He emphasized that marriage belongs to the third category—Sacraments of Christian Service—highlighting that just as priests are ordained to serve the people of God, married couples are also commissioned to serve: to serve one another, their children, and the community with love, patience, and faithfulness.

Fr. Ajayi challenged the couples to embrace a mindset of service in their homes, cultivating virtues such as humility, selflessness, and forgiveness. He further stressed the importance of prayer, communication, and active participation in Church life as tools for building strong and lasting marriages.

A Call to Mission

Beyond personal enrichment, the programme seeks to equip Catholic couples to see their marriages as platforms for evangelization. As Pope Francis has consistently taught, families that live in love and unity become a powerful witness to the Gospel in today’s world.

The training continues tomorrow, May 1st, with additional sessions, workshops, and interactive discussions aimed at deepening couples’ understanding of their sacramental calling and enhancing their effectiveness as witnesses of God’s love.

Registration and Support

Couples paid a subsidized fee of ₦15,000 per couple, following a ₦10,000 subsidy from the Bishop, making the training both accessible and inclusive. Payments were made to Our Lady & St. Kizito Pastoral Centre, Ede (First Bank, 2004381561).

The Diocese encourages more couples to participate in future sessions of the programme as part of its long-term pastoral vision to build stronger families and communities rooted in faith and service.

For more updates on this and related events within the Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, stay tuned to our blog.

Mr Iyaji Joseph Akahi 08038644328