As it is the usual Lenten practice in St. Augustine Catholic Church Ipetumodu, NIGERIA, a special day is set aside each year for the youth of the parish to gather in prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal. On Friday, 28th February 2026, the parish youth came together for their Lenten Retreat, a day dedicated to deepening their relationship with God through various spiritual exercises.
The program began with Holy Mass at 6:00 a.m., with a good number of youths in attendance. Immediately after Mass, there was Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, providing a quiet and prayerful moment for personal encounter with Christ.
A retreat talk was delivered by Rev.Fr. Peterpaul Akinola, on the theme: “Who Will Be My Messenger?” (Isaiah 6:8). He began by thanking God for the gift of life and for the opportunity to participate in this year’s Parish Youth Lenten Retreat. He prayed for God’s blessings upon everyone and encouraged the youths to listen attentively so as to fully benefit from the message. In his teaching, he explained that a retreat is a time of conscious self-examination and spiritual appraisal—a period set aside to step away from daily commitments in order to spend quality time with Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). It is a time to open our hearts completely to Christ, allowing Him to melt, mould, fill, and use us for His glory.
Reflecting on the theme, “Who will be My Messenger?”, he emphasized that God’s call remains relevant for young people today. God is not a condemning judge but a loving Father who forgives, restores, and prepares His children for His mission. The Lord desires that His kingdom be established and His message of peace, love, and goodness be spread to the world. For this reason, He continues to ask: “Whom shall I send?”
Fr. Peter further reminded the youth that this year is a Year of Divine Mission, calling everyone to active participation in God’s work. Though many feel unqualified or inadequate, God assures His chosen ones of His presence and strength (Judges 6:12–16; Jeremiah 1:4; Isaiah 6:6). He encouraged them with Christ’s words: “Be of good courage; I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). The mission belongs to the Lord, but the messenger is each one of us.
Group Discussions
To deepen their reflection, the youth were divided into three groups to discuss: – What messages do you think the Lord wants to pass to our generation? – Why does God need us as His messengers? – Can He not use others? – Why do we sometimes shy away from being God’s messengers?
After thirty minutes, the groups reconvened to share the fruits of their discussions. Questions were asked, clarifications made, and meaningful insights were shared among participants.
The retreat concluded at 12:00 noon, leaving the youth spiritually refreshed, encouraged, and inspired to embrace their role as messengers of hope and faith in their families, schools, and communities.
Sister Theresa ANTHONY DHS (youth coordinator) –
Published on March 10, 2026
