Fr Ogundipe Sdv

  Why must we confess to God through a priest? The question of whether we can confess our sins directly to God rather than through a priest is a common one.  While Catholic doctrine recognizes that God is omnipotent and capable of forgiving sins directly, the Church emphasizes the necessity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) for several profound theological, scriptural, and pastoral reasons.  Let us explore this in-depth. -- I. The Biblical Foundation of Confession Catholics believe that the Sacrament of Reconciliation is rooted in Jesus Christ’s institution of the sacrament.  The practice of confessing sins to a priest is not a human invention but is based on explicit biblical teaching and apostolic tradition. 1. Jesus Grants Authority to the Apostles After His Resurrection, Jesus gave the apostles the authority to forgive sins: > “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, i...

 *REVIEW OF POPE JOHN XXIII ENCYCLICAL "GRATA RECORDATIO (1959)" ON THE HOLY ROSARY* Grata Recordatio is an encyclical issued by Pope John XXIII on September 26, 1959. Its title, which translates to "A Pleasant Recollection," reflects the Pope's nostalgic remembrance of the Rosary's spiritual and pastoral significance, particularly in his younger days. The document emphasizes the power of the Rosary as a prayer for world peace and calls for the faithful to renew their devotion to this practice. While it is a relatively brief document compared to other papal writings, Grata Recordatio is significant in its reaffirmation of the Rosary's central place in Catholic life and its broader call for peace and social justice during a time of great global tension. *Historical and Contextual Background* At the time of its release, the world was caught in the midst of the Cold War, with ongoing concerns about nuclear arms, ideological conflicts between the East and th...

  How necessary is confirmation for salvation? Acts of the Apostles 8:5-8,14-17 They sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for it had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After having been baptized by St. Philip (the deacon, not the apostle), the Christians of Samaria still had need of the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit which is given through the sacrament of confirmation. To this end, it was fitting that the apostles in Jerusalem sent Sts. Peter and John (apostles) to bestow the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. In this event, we see both that confirmation is a sacrament distinct from baptism and that it is most necessary in the life of the Church and of the individual believer. It will be fitting for us to reflect upon this sacrament, since this liturgical season is the time most commonly set aside for the administration of confirmation in dioceses ...

 The Vocationist, alongside other Congregations, having their general chapter in Rome, were in  a special audience with the Holy Father Pope Francis today in Vatican. Below is the text of the address  ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS to Various Religious Chapters (12 August 2024) Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome! I offer a warm greeting to the men and women Superiors and to all present. I am pleased to meet you on the occasion of the General Chapters of your Congregations: Dominican Missionary Sisters of Saint Sixtus, Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary Most Holy in the Temple and the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationist Fathers). During a Chapter, you have the grace and responsibility of experiencing a significant moment not only for the life of your Institutes, but also for the whole Church. Chapters are a time for listening to the Holy Spirit in order to enable the charisms granted to your ...

   _(To be followed everyday from Friday after Ascension till Saturday before Pentecost)_   *_Leader_* : In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.   *_All_* : Amen. Sing a *Hymn* to the Holy Spirit (CHB. 207 / 65 new )  *INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT*  V. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful  R. And kindle in them the fire of your love.  V. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.  R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.  *Let us Pray* : O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen. NB: _Pause to present communal and personal intentions_   *PRAYER OF PETITION*  O Holy Spirit Beloved of my soul I adore you. Enlighten me, Guide me, strengthen me and Console me. Tell me what I ought to do and command ...

 HOMILY PREACHED AT THE 80TH BIRTHDAY THANKSGIVING OF SIR DOMINIC OGUNDIPE AT ST PETER, OTA, 4TH JANUARY 2024. BY FR STEPHEN SOBIYE CDA.  “Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, His majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding and proclaiming prophesies; leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people, wise in their words of instruction. (Sir 44: 1-4).” These words taking from the opening 1st four verses of chapter 44 of the book Sirach, is such that Ben Sira, the author of the book described as the “Praise of the Men of Old”. The entire chapter celebrates the heroes of Israel, where wisdom resides.  I believe my dear brothers and sisters that our gathering of today is of the same nature…. We have all come today to celebrate one of the great men of our t...

 THE EUCHARISTIC MARY AND CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP BY REV FR DR LAWRENCE OKWUOSA, SDV INTRODUCTION The Eucharist is basically about relationship – a life changing relationship, which we can liken to a re-creation, because it involves the gift of body (new identity) and blood (new life). In this relationship, Jesus Christ offers his body and blood to his disciples as eternal food of life. By eating and drinking his body and blood, Jesus’ disciples become one with Him. They become like Him and live Through Him, With Him and IN Him.  The Eucharist is part of God’s divine plan for humanity. It started with the incarnation of the Word into the world. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ took the body and blood of the Virgin Mary and became a man. In this relationship, the lives of Mary and the Second Person of the Trinity were changed forever. Mary became Full of Grace and Mother of God, while the Son of God became the son of Mary and a human being.  In the same vein, t...

  *Birth and Early Life*: St. Martin of Tours was born in 316 AD in what is now Szombathely, Hungary. *Military Service*: He initially served in the Roman army but later converted to Christianity, influenced by his encounter with a beggar. *Conversion*: Martin's famous act of sharing his cloak with a beggar, whom he later recognized as Christ in a dream, played a pivotal role in his conversion to Christianity. *Baptism*: After his conversion, Martin left the military and was baptized as a Christian. *Monastic Life*: He became a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers and embraced monastic life, founding a monastery in Ligugé. *Missionary Work*: St. Martin was known for his missionary activities, spreading Christianity throughout Gaul (modern-day France). *Miracles*: Numerous miracles were attributed to St. Martin, including healing the sick and raising the dead. *Bishopric*: Despite reluctance, he was chosen as Bishop of Tours in 371 AD. His episcopal reign was marked by pastoral care a...

  THE BEAUTY OF CWON UNIFORM By Fr Lawrence O Ogundipe, SDV AN OPEN LETTER TO CWON There was an ancient song playing in the heart of men, permeating souls and minds, a song so old but always green, played only for mothers “oh sweet mother I no go forget you…” that song is playing again today, happy celebrations to all women of valour. I write to encourage our amiable mothers to love, cherish, and wear the CWON uniform with pride. Why? Because it’s a garment of honour, a uniform of protection and a cloth of glamour. Perhaps you do not know that the CWON uniform logo signifies light of the world, the cross resting on the lamp shows that Christ is the source of that light while mother Mary is the oil in the lamp. The flower beneath signifies St Joseph while the CWON rested on them. In the resent uniform, the picture of Mother Mary carrying baby Jesus reflects Our lady of Good counsel, the role model whose qualities every member must strive to imbibe. Our dear mothers I must confirm th...