Ife Deanery Social Communication Commission to Hold Lenten Retreat at Mokuro, Ile-Ife

The Catholic Social Communication Commission of the Ife Deanery in the Osogbo Catholic Diocese has announced plans to organise a special Lenten retreat for its members and other Catholic faithful as part of spiritual activities during the ongoing Lenten season.

Akahi News gathered that the retreat will take place at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Mokuro, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, bringing together Catholic communicators and parishioners for prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

Date, Venue, and Theme

According to information obtained by Akahi News, the retreat is scheduled to hold on Saturday, March 21, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Mokuro, Ile-Ife.

The theme for the retreat is “Desert of Temptation,” drawn from the biblical passage Matthew 4:1–11, which recounts the temptation of Jesus Christ in the wilderness.

Church leaders say the theme reflects the deeper spiritual lessons of the Lenten season, particularly the call for believers to remain steadfast in faith while confronting personal and spiritual challenges.

A Moment for Spiritual Reflection

Lent is traditionally observed by Christians across the world as a forty-day period of prayer, fasting, and repentance leading to the celebration of Easter. During this period, many churches organise retreats, prayer meetings, and reflection sessions to help believers grow spiritually.

Religious leaders often encourage the faithful to use the period for deeper meditation on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ while strengthening their commitment to Christian values.

The retreat organised by the Ife Deanery Social Communication Commission is therefore expected to provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on the message contained in Matthew 4:1–11, especially the lessons on resisting temptation and remaining faithful to God’s will.

Invitation to Youths and Other Faithful

Speaking with Akahi News, the current Public Relations Officer of the group, Mr. Joseph Iyaji, stated that the leadership of the commission is encouraging wide participation in the retreat, particularly among young people.

According to him, the President of the commission, Mrs. Ruth Taiwo, has extended an open invitation to members and interested Catholic faithful to take part in the spiritual exercise.

He noted that the leadership believes the retreat will provide a valuable opportunity for participants, especially youths, to deepen their spiritual lives and reflect more seriously on their Christian commitments during the Lenten season.

Strengthening the Mission of Catholic Communicators

Observers within the Church note that the Social Communication Commission plays an important role in promoting the message of the Gospel through various communication platforms.

Members of the commission are often involved in parish media activities, church information management, and the dissemination of Catholic teachings through both traditional and digital media.

Akahi News learnt that the retreat will also serve as an opportunity for Catholic communicators within the Ife Deanery to renew their commitment to responsible communication, unity within the Church, and the promotion of Christian values in society.

Preparing Spiritually for Easter

Church leaders say gatherings such as the Lenten retreat remain important moments for believers to pause from their daily routines and focus on prayer, reflection, and spiritual growth.

As the Lenten season continues, many Catholic communities across Nigeria are organising similar programmes aimed at helping the faithful prepare spiritually for the celebration of Easter.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here: https://akahinews.org/Joseph/

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