The four-hundred-year anniversary of the Congregation of the Mission, Lagos region took place in Christ the King Catholic Church Akowonjo on Saturday 24th August 24, 2025. This ceremony is the first of the regional celebrations across province (Nigeria).
The one-day event began with Jubilee Mass attended by Vincentian priests within and outside the region, Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul working in Lagos, members of other arms of the Vincentian Family in Nigeria, knights and ladies of Saints Mulumba (KSM) and John Internal (KSJI), lay-faithful from Christ the King Parish Akowonjo, St. Louis Egbeda, Good Shepherd Parish Owode, St. Monica Maza-Maza, Retreat Center Ojodu, St. Mary Ayetoro, Miraculous Medal Pilgrimage Center Ota, St. Anthony Pariah Adiyan, St. Jude Catholic Church Eruwen, St. Albert the Great Seminary Idowu Offonran, Lumen Christi School, Maya; Our Lady of Assumption Parish Oke-owa, etc. The attendance was massive and sizeable, gathering children and adults, the young and old, the thick and thin, the big and small, the rich and the struggling, men and women of goodwill from around Lagos and even Togo. There was enough publicity and visibility, and attendance paid off.
The mass was officiated by the chief shepherded of the catholic diocese of Lagos, Most Rev. Adewale Martins ably represented by the vicar general of the archdiocese, Very Reverend Monsignor John Kanebi Asuquo Aniagwu.
The Mass intention was articulated by the archbishop who thanked God for all that the Vincentian fathers have accomplished in various parts of the world especially in our country Nigeria, clarifying that four hundred years is a lot of years. He prayed for God’s blessings on all priests of the Mission in Nigeria that they may continue to deliver service to persons living with poverty.
Delivering the homily, Reverend Father Camillus Umoh, Cm went through the memory lane identifying keys events in our global and local histories that have shaped the growth and spread of our ministry to the poor in the last four centuries of foundation. In his vote of thanks at the conclusion of the mass, the Provincial Superior, Very Reverend Father Damian Nwankwo, Cm who could not contain his joy expressed sentiments of gratitude and appreciation to God for the success of the event, thanking the archbishop for his unalloyed supports to the Vincentians toiling in the archdiocese, and for approving the celebration to hold in his jurisdiction. He thanked the lay faithful for their continuous support to the province, noting that all who work for the poor are Vincentians and therefore their reward in heaven is assured.
The second half of the event (reception of guests and award giving) was done in the old church where persons who were outstanding in charity to the poor, and support to the Vincentian family were duly and fully recognized by the Congregation of the Mission and the Vincentian family, Nigeria. First among them was Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins the archbishop of Lagos. He was decorated with Chief Shepherd of the Year Award for his outstanding support to Vincentian work in Nigeria. Other bishops of the dioceses where the Vincentians work were awarded recognitions; they include Most Rev. Francis Obafemi Adesina, the bishop of Ijebu-ode and Most Rev. Dr. Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo the bishop of Abeokuta, both received Shepherd of Charity Award.
In recognition of the support the priests of the mission received from Monsignor Aniagwu, he was decorated with Pillar of Charity award. The Chairman of the occasion, Sir Chuks Amangbo, KSJI a man that his charity speaks volumes of faith was given Vincentian Man of the year award. In summary, a total of fifty-one persons received awards of various categories. By and large, the event was a huge success; all glory goes to God our Father, honor to our Father founder St. Vincent and kudos to members of the priests of the mission of Lagos region for beautifully packaging and delivering this regional celebration. We look forward to Abuja regional edition on Sunday, 31st August 24, 2025.
