Renewed call to service as Knights of St John welcome new members in Abeokuta

By Adebowale Johnson

For the Catholic community of St Catherine Catholic Church, Arepo, Sango-Ijoko, Ogun State, October 4, 2026, was a day of faith, fellowship and renewed commitment to service as the Knights of St John International, Lagos Grand Commandery, presented three new initiates.

The ceremony, which brought together Catholic faithful, Knights and Ladies Auxiliary members, friends and invited guests, was described by the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Peter Oziegbe Asiazobor, as a significant moment for the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta.

The new initiates are Fr. Asiazobor, Parish Priest of St Catherine Catholic Church; Sister Florence Nwigwe of Commandery 727 and Ladies Auxiliary 607, Iju, Lagos; and Brother Jude Adeshina-Boyo.

The Grand President of the Knights of St John International, Brigadier General Paulinus Nwankwo, was represented at the occasion by Major General Simeon Ochi, First Grand Trustee. Also present was Noble Okwul Sidney-Moka, alongside members of the Lagos Grand Commandery and Ladies Auxiliary.

In his sermon, Fr. Asiazobor urged Christians to see their lives, talents and abilities as gifts from God which should be used for the benefit of others.

He said divine gifts also carried responsibilities, urging the faithful not to allow their talents to remain unused but to deploy them in service to God and humanity.

“Life is a gift from God,” the priest said, stressing that what people do with their lives represents their response or “give-back” to God.

He encouraged Christians to overcome spiritual complacency and recognise that their lives could become a blessing to others, irrespective of the challenges they faced.

Welcoming the Lagos Grand Commandery, Fr. Asiazobor, on behalf of the Bishop, deanery and laity, described the gathering as significant to the parish and the wider Catholic community.

He said the occasion marked what he described as a historic moment for the Catholic Diocese of Abeokuta, established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997, noting that it was the first time such a major presentation of Knights and Ladies of St John International had taken place in the diocese.

According to him, the visit went beyond the presentation of new members, providing an opportunity for evangelisation and strengthening the Church’s mission.

He expressed the willingness of the parish and diocese to work with the order, particularly in evangelisation and the spiritual development of the faithful.

Also speaking, Sir Barnabas Bem Vangerwua, Worthy President of St Kizito Commandery 727, Iju, said members of the order were pleased to participate in the celebration.

He commended the parish community for working with its priest to promote the spiritual welfare of members and improve the physical development of the church.

Vangerwua said the Knights had chosen to serve God with their time, talent and treasure, adding that service to God was a responsibility every Christian should embrace.

He assured the new members and the parish community of the continued support of the Lagos Knights.

For Sister Nwigwe, the ceremony was both a joyful occasion and an opportunity to deepen the order’s evangelisation efforts within the Ifor Deanery and neighbouring areas of the Abeokuta Diocese.

She said the Knights promoted love, brotherhood, charity and compassion, particularly towards the less privileged and the Church.

Nwigwe, who has been a Knight since 2024, said her membership had provided opportunities to contribute to humanity and support initiatives aimed at empowering people.

Major General Ochi explained that the Knights of St John International is a lay apostolate within the Catholic Church, with members committed to supporting the Church and its mission.

He said the presentation formally admitted the new members into the order and prepared them for service.

According to him, the organisation also uses such occasions to encourage other Catholics to participate in its activities and contribute to the work of the Church.

He urged members to embrace the principle of the three Ts,  time, talent and treasure, stressing that service requires personal commitment and sacrifice.

Membership of the order, he added, does not come with financial remuneration. Rather, members are expected to commit their time, resources and abilities to the service of God and the Church.

The ceremony therefore ended not merely as an initiation of new members, but as a renewed call to Christian service, with the new Knights and the wider Catholic community urged to put their faith into practical action.